Elizabeth I - The Revolt of the Northern Earls Flashcards
Why was Elizabeth’s right to the throne disputed? Why did they favour Mary?
They saw Henry’s marriage to Anne Boleyn as illegitimate
Mary had claim to throne through her grandmother Margaret, Henry VIII’s sister
What were the religious reasons for the Revolt?
Elizabeth established Protestant Church in 1559 with concessions to Catholics
Most Catholics were church papists until relations w/Spain worsened and laws enforced more
Puritan James Pilkington made bishop of Durham in 1561
other zealous Prots appointed to promote settlement in the North
How did court factions contribute to the revolt?
William Cecil, Elizabeth’s leading councillor followed anti-Spanish policy opposed by other councillors including Duke of Norfolk
Plot emerged to marry Mary to Norfolk as Elizabeth wouldn’t discuss the succession
Would keep a Prot on the throne as Norfolk was a surface level prot so their children would be Prot and would challenge Cecil’s influence
What were the political reasons for the revolt?
Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland resented appointment of Prot outsiders to key Northern posts
Hunsdon, Elizabeth’s cousin made Warden of East March (1568) - traditionally held by Northumberland
John Forster appointed Warden of Middle March - traditionally held by Northumb
Earl of Essex made president of Council of the North
What were the economic reasons for the revolt?
Northumb aggrieved that he wasn’t compensated for copper mine found on his estates and taken by Crown
What were the events that led to the rebellion?
Elizabeth discovered the plot and was furious
26th Sep 1569 - Norfolk left court to his estates but didn’t rebel
Obeyed Queen’s summons and returned to London –> imprisoned in the Tower
Northumb and Westmor thought that Norfolk would rebel when he left court so they planned their own rebellion
How did the rebellion start?
24th Oct - Elizabeth summoned Earls to court
Early Nov - supporters began amassing at Brancepath Castle in Durham
9th November - Earls revolted –> marched to Durham Cathedral, celebrated mass and destroyed signs of Protism
How strong was the army that the rebels amassed?
3,800 footsoldiers, 1,600 horsemen, mostly with personal relationship and loyalty to Earls
What action did the Crown take to put down the rebellion?
Mary was moved from Tutbury Castle (north) to Coventry so she couldn’t be reached by rebels
13 Nov - Earl of Sussex began trying to raise royal forces
22 Nov - he got trapped in York with 400 horsemen, could get more men as gentry didn’t support
When did rebels reach Bramham Moor? What did they do next?
22nd Nov.
24th Nov - turned back to march towards North - struggling to get support outside of North + West’s regions
Early Dec - beseiged Barnard Castle held by George Bowes for the Queen. ~400 of his men turned on him
14th Dec - overran Barnard Castle
How was the revolt put down?
16th Dec - government army of 14,000 men commanded by Earl of Warwick reached River Tees, rebels disbanded
19th Dec - skirmish between rebels and John Forster at Hexham
What were the events of Lord Dacre’s uprising?
Jan 1570 - begain to muster forces in Cumbria of 3,000 men
Feb 1570 - attacked Lord Hunsdon’s forces. Dacre defeated and ~500 killed
How did failures in leadership lead to the failure of the RoTNE?
lacked co-ordination and clear objectives
Westmorland had to be convinced to rebel by his uncle
Northumberland didn’t agree with Court plot and needed to be persuaded to rebel by his wife
disagreements among rebel leaders over aims
How did government response lead to the failure of the RoTNE?
Elizabeth gave office to loyal Prot outsiders e.g. Forskter, Pilkington who helped put it down
Forster, Bowes and Hunsdon in constant contact w/London gov keeping them informed
threat of large army enough to scare rebels away and moving Mary disrupted rebels’ plans
Why did the rebellion lack widespread support and how did that lead to its failure?
other Catholic nobility didn’t support - too risky
e.g. Henry Clifford who harbored Cath priests in 60s
Earl of Derby loyal and controlled most of Lancashire and Cheshire
local gentry in Yorkshire and Durham remained neutral/supported Liz e.g. John Sayer helped Bowes
couldn’t get popular support outside their regions
xenophobia meant that return to Pope-controlled church wasn’t appealing
