D4: The Northern Rising - the key events

Question 1

Outline the key events

Answer 1

1. Norfolk withdraws from court; Westmorland and Northumberland plan a rebellion.
2. Rebellion begins (9 October) and rebels gather at Brancepeth Castle.
3. Rebels march to Durham Cathedral and return to Brancepeth.
4. Rebels advance south (15 November) but fail to gain support from Spain or key nobles.
5. Rebel forces reach Bramham Moor and threaten York.
6. Rebels retreat to Brancepeth Castle (24 November) as support dwindles.
7. Royal army mobilizes (16 December); rebels disband and flee.
8. Skirmish at Hexham (19 December) ends rebellion.
9. Leonard Dacre’s revolt (1570) marks the final northern noble rebellion.

Question 2

Why did Norfolk withdraw from court, and how did it impact Westmorland and Northumberland’s plans?

Answer 2

Norfolk withdrew from court, which left Westmorland and Northumberland wavering in their plans for rebellion, as they were initially confident he would join them.

Question 3

How did Elizabeth respond to the suspicions around Westmorland and Northumberland?

Answer 3

Liz remained suspicious of W & N despite them pleading innocent to Sussex, who accepted their claims.
- She ordered them both to court on 24 Oct.

Question 4

What forced Westmorland and Northumberland to rebel?

Answer 4

Fears of arrest provoked Westmorland and Northumberland into rebellion, as they felt they had no other alternative.

Question 5

When did the rebellion begin, and where did Westmorland’s supporters gather?

Answer 5

The rebellion began on 9 Nov, and Westmorland’s supporters gathered at Brancepeth Castle in County Durham.

Question 6

Why did Northumberland eventually join the rebellion?

Answer 6

Northumberland was reluctant but was persuaded to join after being convinced that the Earl of Sussex was about to capture him.

Question 7

What did the rebels do when they reached Durham Cathedral?

Answer 7

The rebels held a Catholic mass and destroyed all signs of Protestantism at Durham Cathedral.

Question 8

Where did the rebels go after their actions in Durham?

Answer 8

The rebels returned to Brancepeth Castle, where they were more able to defend themselves.

Question 9

What was the rebels’ goal when they advanced south on 15 November?

Answer 9

The rebels aimed to raise support in Yorkshire (going S) and issued proclamations emphasizing their loyalty to Elizabeth while opposing her adviser, Cecil and framing their actions as protective to the common good rather than rebellious.

Question 10

What was significant about the rebels reaching Bramham Moor on 22 November?

Answer 10

Bramham Moor was a key junction that threatened York and blocked government forces.

Question 11

Why were officials loyal to Elizabeth unable to act against the rebellion effectively? Give an example.

Answer 11

The scale of the rebellion made it difficult for loyal officials to act. Earl of Sussex, responsible for maintaining order, was trapped in York with only 400 horsemen and failed to raise significant additional forces.
- tried but couldnt raise an army of 1,500.

Question 12

What was the situation at Brancepeth Castle on 24 November?

Answer 12

the rebels retreated to Brancepeth Castle, their strongest area of support, as they faced dwindling backing and news of a royal army mobilizing.

Question 13

What led to the weakening of the rebellion by 24 November?

Answer 13

The rebels realized they lacked support outside of Yorkshire and Durham, and key nobles like the Earl of Derby remained loyal to Elizabeth.

Question 14

How large was the rebel force at its peak, and what threat did it pose to the government?

Answer 14

The rebel force consisted of 3,800 foot soldiers and 1,600 horsemen, posing a formidable threat to the government.

Question 15

What military actions did the rebels take in early December?

Answer 15

The rebel army besieged Barnard Castle, and another group captured the port of Hartlepool.

Question 16

What support did the rebels hope for but did not receive?

Answer 16

The rebels hoped for support from Spain but didnt materialized.

Question 17

What was the royal response to the rebellion on 16 December?

Answer 17

large royal army under the Earl of Warwick reached the River Tees, causing the rebel earls to disband their forces and flee.

Question 18

What happened at Hexham on 19 December?

Answer 18

A brief skirmish occurred at Hexham, resulting in some rebel casualties. It was the only real conflict of the rebellion

Question 19

What was the fate of Northumberland and Westmorland after the rebellion?

Answer 19

Northumberland fled to Scotland but was eventually returned and executed in 1572. Westmorland escaped to the continent.

Question 20

What did Leonard Dacre do in 1570, despite the failure of the Northern Rising?

Answer 20

Leonard Dacre gathered 3,000 men and fortified his estate while professing loyalty to Elizabeth but secretly writing to Mary, Queen of Scots.

Question 21

Why were the gov trying to arrest Dacre, what did it lead to and how was it suppressed?

Answer 21

The government ordered Dacre’s arrest due to his fortifications, leading to a battle with Hunsdon’s forces. Dacre was defeated, with around 500 casualties, and fled, marking the end of northern nobility’s power.

Question 22

What was the significance of the defeat of Leonard Dacre’s rebellion?

Answer 22

The defeat marked the consolidation of Elizabeth’s power in the North and the decline of traditional northern nobility