Pilgrimage of Grace

Question 1

What were religious factors for the uprising?

Answer 1

1. North was mainly Catholic and believed their religion was under threat.
2. Dissolution of the monasteries was seen as an unforgivable attack on religion.
3. Thought the parishes would be next.
4. The works of monks was seen as important for the community.

Question 2

Why were monasteries important?

Answer 2

1. Healing the sick
2. Help for the poor
3. Refuge for the poor

Question 3

What were political factors for the uprising?

Answer 3

1. Northern nobility felt that Henry’s court was too influenced by Cromwell.
2. They disliked Cromwell for his low birth and reformist religious views.
3. They hoped that the uprising would weaken Cromwell.

Question 4

Economic Reasons:

Answer 4

1. 1534 Subsidy Act was still collected in 1536, usually in wartime but they were at peace
2. Poor harvests in 1535/36
3. Rising rent and enclosure
4. Nobility opposed to the Statute of Uses, a tax on landed inheritances.

Question 5

What was the timeline of the Lincolnshire Uprising?

Answer 5

1) 2 October: 3,000 people rise under Nicholas Melton.
2) 4 October: Dr Raynes murdered in Horncastle.
3) 7 October: 10,000 rebels march to Lincoln.
4) 10; October: Henry sends message threatening them.Extreme punishment. 3,000 men under Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk
5) 11 October: Lincolnshire rebellion is over

Question 6

What was the timeline of the Yorkshire rebellion?

Answer 6

1) 16 October: Aske and 10,000 pilgrims welcomed into York.
2) 27 October: Henry’s army and the pilgrims meet at Doncaster Bridge to negotiate.
3) 6 December: Duke of Norfolk speaks with Aske, and promises a call of parliament.
4) January 1537: Aske is hanged in York.

Question 7

What was Henry’s bluff?

Answer 7

1. They agreed that no further monasteries were closed until a new parliament had met.
2. Aske thought he had won and tore of his badge and disbanded his army.
3. Howard avoided any discussions about the Pontefract Articles (24 demands), saying it would happen in parliament.
4. The agreement was not written down.
5. Henry said that promises made to rebels could be broken because they were traitors.

Question 8

Why did the revolt fail and why was it important?

Answer 8

1. His misplaced faith in the King.
2. Largest uprising in Tudor England and posed as a clear rejection of his policies.
3. Pilgrims were well-armed and if they fought against the army it is highly likely they would’ve won.
4. Forced the king into making concessions. He didn’t crush it immediately. Accepted the negotiations and gave them a general pardon.