English Society Under Henry VIII

Question 1

Who were the ‘elites’?

Answer 1

Traditional Nobles
The Greater Gentry

They had considerable political and economic influence.

Question 2

Who was the one Duke that remained when Henry VIII ascended the throne?

Answer 2

Edward Stafford, the Duke of Buckingham.

Question 3

How many gentry families does John Guy suggest that there were by 1540?

Answer 3

5000

Question 4

How many knightly families does Susan Brigden suggest that there were by 1524?

Answer 4

200

Question 5

Why were so many commoners against the Amicable Grant in 1525?

Answer 5

The rise in the rate of inflation led to a drop in real incomes, so people were reluctant to pay a heavy tax that wasn’t introduced by Parliament.

Question 6

Before when was Wales a separate territory from England?

Answer 6

1536

Question 7

When did the Lincolnshire rising begin, and where did it spread to?

Answer 7

Early October 1536.

It spread over the Humber into the East Riding of Yorkshire and continued from there into parts of the West Riding around Wakefield and Pontefract.

Question 8

What were the two religious motives for the Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion?

Answer 8

1. The dissolution of the monasteries, because it had a number of negative effects which many found undesirable:
   - Loss of charitable and educational functions which some monasteries provided.
   - The possible loss of parish churches which were now monastic property.
   - The usefulness in the facilities that the monasteries provided.
2. Fear for parish churches and traditional religious practices. Cromwell’s injunctions in 1536 were seen as attacking traditional practices:
   - Celebration of saints was discouraged.
   - Discouragement of pilgrimage.
   - Rumour that church plate ad jewels would be confiscated.

Question 9

What were the main secular motives for the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 9

1. Economic grievances. Including the resentment of taxation.
2. Tenants’ grievances.
3. Restoration of Mary as heir.

Question 10

Why was the Lincolnshire Rising and the Pilgrimage of Grace Rebellions significant?

Answer 10

They were the most geographically widespread rebellions in Tudor England.

The Northern rebels occupied York and Hull and captured Pontefract Castle.

Henry’s first attempt at quashing the rebellion under Norfolk failed, as his army was out outnumbered by the rebels.

Norfolk had to prevent the rebellion by promising things to the rebels:

• Restoration of the monasteries
• Free Parliament would be established

Question 11

When and where was the 1536 Pilgrimage of Grace Rebellion renewed?

Answer 11

Cumberland and the East Riding in February 1537

Question 12

Name some consequences from the religious upheaval.

Answer 12

1. A huge amount of land was removed from the Church and taken by the crown.
2. With the loss of the monasteries, most monastic school were also lost.
3. Many Monks and Nuns were left unemployed.
4. Monasteries offered employment and business opportunities.