Pilgrimage of Grace - 1536/37 Flashcards
Causes
Reformation hit Europe in the 1500s.
Henry resented the power of the Church in England, he needed money and he needed a son. He was married to Catherine of Aragon but she bore him no children, he wanted to marry Anne Boleyn but this (a divorce) was forbidden in the Catholic Church. Henry made himself head of the new Church of England in the Act of Supremacy 1534. England stopped paying taxes to Rome, the Pope had no power in England. He divorced Catherine of Aragon and married Anne Boleyn.
A new law made it treason to not accept Henry VIII as Head of the Church.
The Dissolution of the Monasteries results in 25% of England’s land falling into Henry’s hands, he sold this land off to the gentry.
The Church of England was different to Catholicism and many did not like the changes that had been made. The Church and Monasteries were the centre of people’s social lives and the King had taken this away. Monasteries provided care for the sick and for the poor.
Methods
In 1536, in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, an uprising broke out against these changes. The leader was Robert Aske, a lawyer. They called the protest the Pilgrimage of Grace to demonstrate their peaceful intentions. They carried a banner showing the five wounds of Christ, showing they were a religious protest.
They wanted to restore the monasteries, recognise the Pope as the head of the Church, dismiss Cromwell (One of chief’s top ministers in charge of overseeing the reformation) and other ministers behind these reforms.
October 1536 - The protestors captured towns in the North of England. Aske had 30, 000 supporters. Henry sent the Catholic Duke of Norfolk with an army of 8, 000 to negotiate with the rebels. Aske presented Norfolk with a list of demands. Norfolk assured the pilgrims that the King would listen. Aske spent Christmas with the King at Windsor. The pilgrims went home.
January 1537 - the rebels saw that Henry was strengthening his garrison in the North and felt he would not be keeping his word. The rebels decided to strike first and attacked castles in the North. This gave Henry the excuse he needed to cancel his previous pardons. Norfolk hanged 74 rebels. Aske was called back to London, arrested and executed.
The Pilgrimage of Grace was ruthlessly put down to prevent future uprisings. Over 200 were executed as a warning to those who dared to challenge Henry’s authority.
Outcomes
Long Term: No religious rebellions took place during Henry’s reign
Henry’s finances increased, he spent money on developing the navy
Short Term: Henry now had total control of the country
Henry had started closing the smaller monasteries. In 1539, he dissolved the larger monasteries.
