Mary I - Wyatt's Rebellion - RG2

Question 1

What was one of the key causes of the rebellion?

Answer 1

The prospect of a Spanish marriage.

Question 2

When was the rebellion planned?

Answer 2

November 1553

Question 3

What did the original plans for the rebellion involve?

Answer 3

There were to be four simultaneous risings: in Devon (led by Edward Courtnenay, Earl of Devon), Hertfordshire, Leicestershire & Kent.

Question 4

Where did the only serious uprising take place?

Answer 4

In Kent

Question 5

Sir Thomas Wyatt raised a force of how many men in Kent?

Answer 5

About 3,000 men

Question 6

Give three causes of the rebellion?

Answer 6

• Resentment of the proposed royal marriage was clearly the main grievance, especially among the rebellion’s leaders. There was an implicit objective of getting rid of Mary, though this was never stated openly. The involvement of Lady Jane Grey’s father, implied a decision to restore Jane to the throne; other rebels would undoubtedly preferred Elizabeth
• Xenophobia certainly motivated many of the rebels
• Some of them were motivated by religion- many of Wyatt’s urban supporters came from Maidstone, a Protestant stronghold

Question 7

Why was the rebellion significant?

Answer 7

• It showed that, although Protestants were in a minority, their religious opinions could not be ignored
• It demonstrated the extent to which there was popular suspicion of the proposed Spanish marriage
• It resulted in the execution of Lady Jane Grey, an innocent victim of her father’s support for the rebellion

Question 8

How serious was the threat posed by the rebellion?

Answer 8

It was really serious, Wyatt came close to success. He raised- and kept- a large following, outmaneuvered the Duke of Norfolk and came close to securing the city of London, which might well have resulted in Mary’s reign coming to a premature end.

Question 9

How did Mary’s councillors react to the rebellion?

Answer 9

They kept their heads, there were no significant defections to the rebel cause.