Key debate 1: What caused the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Question 1

Key points:

Answer 1

• Factionalism
• Economic and social factors
• Religious factors

Question 2

Did factionalism cause the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 2

• Aragonese faction had been defeated at court and in parliament.
- Fall of Catherine of Aragon & break with Rome.
- Faction appealed to the country at large to stop further changes and raised a popular rebellion to achieve this.
• Henry’s attempt to end his marriage started problems.
- Exacerbated by his centralising policy that undermined the feudal ties in the north (men who led rebellion lost out as direct result)
• Leading figures had links with Catherine e.g. Lord Hussey
• Increasing government centralisation had seen men such as Hussey, Darcy and Constable lose influence.
• North appeared to be excluded from decision-making, hence the rebel demand for a parliament in the north.
• Rebels demanded the restoration of Mary to the succession

Question 3

Was the Pilgrimage of Grace caused by Economic and Social factors?

Answer 3

• The rebel demands contained a number of economic grievances:
Complaints about;
- 1534 Subsidy Act
- Enclosure – problem particularly in more populated areas .
- Entry fines.
- Rumours of new taxes on sheep & cattle.
- Poor harvests of 1535 and 1536.
- Dissolution of monasteries as economic: vital role in the local economy and provided help in times of distress.

Question 4

Was the Pilgrimage of Grace caused by Religious factors?

Answer 4

• Break with Rome & abolition of papal authority not seen as responsible.
• The suppression of smaller monasteries and other religious grievances arguably caused the rising.
• Religious intentions demonstrated by:
- Banner of the rebels depicted 5WOC.
- Pilgrim’s oath made statement that they were undertaking the pilgrimage in the name of Christ.
- Religious grievances 9/24 demands.
- Traditional religious practices, such as saint’s days, were under attack and the abolition of holy days was unpopular.
- New taxes on baptism, burial and marriage were unpopular – poorer elements couldn’t afford them.
- Rising occurred immediately after the closure of some of the smaller monasteries.
- Rumours of further religious changes, such as the closure of some parish churches, worried many