How serious was the threat of the revolt

Question 1

How it was a threat

Role and support of the earls

Answer 1

• Both Westmorland and Northumberland had been in contact with potential enemies of Elizabeth – letters revealed their determination to restore England back to Catholicism
• Earls involvement was also dangerous due to the leadership they provided among the local communities, where they were well known and where traditional loyalties remained strong
• Such as the gentry and their families - could use their landed estates to recruit their own tenants
• Strength of the support meant they were able to control Durham and York for nearly a month, while Elizabeth’s officials struggled to contain the rising and found themselves surrounded.

Question 2

How it was a threat

1) Highlighted political and religious unrest

Answer 2

• MQ/S presence (with claim and an heir) put pressure on Elizabeth and her contact with English Catholics and Scottish support could have led to the restoration of Catholicism and deposing of Elizabeth.
• Showed the failure of the middle way; had been in place for 10 years yet Catholicism was still strong in the North. Gentry and Nobles willing to rebel to support Catholicism.
• Showed government weakness of controlling remote regions; even though Council of North had been reorganised in 1537, this still could not stop resentment of Protestant outsiders.
• Government force took 1 month to get to Durham as army was so large (even though Sussex and Hunsdon repeatedly asked Cecil for a small mobile force of 800 men and 500 cavalry) – showed weakness of government and inability to recognise threat.

Question 3

How the Northern Earls was not a threat

Lack of leadership

Answer 3

• Unlike prev rebs, there was no 1 clear leader with aims and methods with Northumberland and Westmorland being reluctant rebels, only agreeing to join after some persuasion and the disagreements over the Norfolk marriage plan weakened the leadership.
• Northumberland was determined to restore the Catholic faith and he did not think the marriage of Mary to Norfolk (a non-committed Catholic) would achieve this; he did not join the rebels until the 9th of November.
• The pattern of the rebel movements suggests the earls were uncertain about how to proceed, following the news of Norfolks arrest – Durham, Bramham Moor, and then back North again - no clear strategy.

Question 4

How it wasn’t a threat: lack of support

Answer 4

Lack of widespread support:
- Failed to attract support from other members of nobility as those with Catholic sympathies thought the rebellion would be too risky. For example, Clifford refused after he’d been in trouble for protecting Catholic priests in 1560s.
- Only attracted 5000 rebels from own estates, but never gained the level of support in POG (35k) as they especially lacked influence beyond their regions in Yorkshire and Durham.
- While Liz maintained support through the system of patronage of Protestants like Foster and Hudson.

Lack in international support
- Rebels falsey believed Philip II of Spain would send troops - English-Spanish relations did deteriorate by 1568, but Philip remained reluctant to help Mary because she had too many connections with France.
- Scottish Catholic support was stopped by the pro-English regent of Scotland, Earl of Moray.
- Lacked legitimacy as Elizabeth had not yet been excommunicated by the pope.