THE REVOLT OF THE NORTHERN EARLS Flashcards
Why did mary queen of scots pose a threat to Elizabeth
-CLAIM TO THRONE
great grandaughter of Henry VII and had strong claim to english throe
-RELIGIOUS THREAT
was catholic and a figurehead for english and european catholics who oppossed protestant rule
FOREIGN SUPPORT
catholic powers france and Spain could support her claim
ELIZABETH LEGITIMACY
-many catholics viewed elizabeth as illegitamate as they thought henry viii’s marriage to anne bolyne to be invalid
Mary queen of scots international relations
-raised in france, married to heir of french throne
-in 1560 her husband died and she returned to rule scotland
-married Lord Darnley (who also had a claim to the english throne), angering protestant nobles
-darnley was murdered and she married suspected murderer, The earl of Bothwell
-she was forced to abdicate in 1567 in favor of her son James VI
-mary escaped scotland to england in 1568 (became a focus for catholic plots)
how did court politics contribute to the northern rising (cecil and deteriorating relationships with spain)
-william cecil’s dominance in court caused resentment (nobles feared his policies were dragging england to war with spain)
-from 1567-68 relations with spain worsened (the protestant revolt in the netherlands lead to spanish brutality, AND spanish ships carrying gold and silver across the sea from rngland to pay spanish troops- threat of invasion- were siezed by cecil, wosening tensions)
-some nobles wanted to remove cicil to prevent war (e.g duke of norfolk)
what was the plot against william cecil
-Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Northumberland, Earl of Westmoreland
-norfolk (protestant with catholic sympathies) was to marry Mary
aim…
-secure royal succession (as elizabeth has no heir)
-increase norfolk power in order to remove cecil
-keep Mary in England under English control
ELIZABETH DISCOVERED PLAN IN 1569 AND FORBADE IT
role of the duke of norfolk
-most powerful noble (his involvement made the plot serious)
-1556 fled court but didnt raisea rebellion (sent message to westmoreland urging against rebellion)
-was imprisoned in tower of london on return to court
-actions contribyted to rebellion by increasing noble resentment
-had links to many discontented nobles
religious causes of the northern rising
-despite reformation england remained strongly catholic despite the reformation (77% of yorkshire nobility were catholic)
-elizabeth’s moderate religious settlement (1559, 39 articles 1563) allowed outward catholic conformity
-when spain became a greater threat from 1566, gov cracked dowm on catholic practices
what role did gov intervention in the north play
-protestant outsiders were appointed to key positions, replacing traditional catholic nobles
-radical protestant was appointed bishop of durham (James Pilkington) and he destroyed catholic imagrey and church furniture
-catholic nobles felt alienated
Northern rising key causes
-RELIGION
catholic nobles resented protestant control of the north
-POLITICAL
-nobles lost influence to protestant outsiders
FEARS OVER SUCCESSION
-saw norfolks marriage to mary as a way to stabalise the monarchy
PERCIEVED FOREIGN SUPPORT
-thought spain would support them
ECONOMIC
-some nobles faced financial difficulties under elizabeths rule
economic concerns of the nobles
appointment of rivals to key positions that had once been theirs made them lose their incomes
-both earl of northymberland and westmoreland began suffering financially and gov policy was making it worse
-wrote to the earl of pemboke asking him for the queen to give a sum of 1000
-earl of westmoreland was forced to borrow 80 pounds from sir george bowes
why did mary queen of scotts arrival in England 1568 increase tensions
-was a potential catholic figurehead for opposition to Elisabeth
-her presence raised fears of catholic rebellion and foreign intervention
how did elizabeth manage the threat posed by MQS when she was in england
-mary was placed in comfortable captivity
-initially treated well the moved to tutberry castle in 1569 to keep her away from London and the scottish border (to reduce her influence as a rallying point for catholics)
how did the proposed marriage of MQS and duke of norfolk contribute to the revolt
-some nobles including norfolk (and even protestant Robert Dudley) supported the marriage to resolve succession issues
-tied to wider resentment of william cecil
how did the northern earls justify their actions during the uprising
they presented themselves as loyal subjects who were acting to free Elizabeth from the harmful advice from figures like cecil
framed revolt as patriotic defence rather than treason
when did the northern earls officially rebel
1569, after Elizabeth summoned them to court
EVENTS OF THE NORTHERN RISING
-1569, nothumberland and westmoreland started gathering troops
-rebels march into durham, capture durham cathedral, destroyed protestant symbols and celebrate catholic mass
-rebels move south and capture Barnard castle, planning to free MQS from tutbury castle
-rebels retreat north, fearing approach of the earl of warwicks army (MQS moved to coventry)
-rebels besiege barnard castle, and briefly capture Hartlepool. They hope for spanish support but no foreign support arrives
-royal army arrives north. rebels dispersed, westmooreland flees, northumberland captured in scotland
-1570, Lord Dacre attempts smaller rebellion in cumbria but defeated in bettle of Naworth. flees into exile.
-elizabeth orders mass execution pof rebel leaders and supporters. Northumberland executed in 1572
what was the strategic significance of Braham Moor
control of braham moor allowed rebels to threaten york, block gov troops from london and move towards tutbury castle (where MQS was imprisoned)
how many men did rebels gather by late November 1569
-38000 foot soldiers and 1600 horsemen
what role did Sir John Bowes play in opposing the rebellion
led the queens royal forces at Barnard castle despite heavy pressure
why did rebels retreat 24th nov and how did the northern rising eventually come to an end
WHY DID THEY RETREAT
- by nov rumours of a large royal army approaching under the earl of warwick
-lack of support against durham and yorkshire
-MQS moved from tutberry to coventry.
COLLAPSE OF REVOLT
-subsequent gov action, including the sigie of barnerd castle and skirmishes, led to the collapse of the revolt
-northumberland fled
what challenges did the gov face when responding to the uprising
-loyalist forces under president sussex was only 400 men
-had trouble mustering sufficient local support
-struggled to raise larger forces due to divided loyalty of the gentry
long term impact of these rebellions on traditional northern nobility
-northumberlands execution
-lands belonging to westmoreland and darce confiscated
-effectively destroyed power of traditional northern nobility
why did the northern rising fail
-earls of northumberland and westmoreland failed to gain widespread support outside the north
-elizabeth’s military response was swift- fores under the earl of sussex and baron hinsdon moved against the rebels
-rebels failed to take york or march further south to link with potential catholic allies
-retreated further north and dispersed when royal forces arrived
who was lord dacre and what was his role in the rebellion
-initially was loyal to elizabeth and convinced gov of his innocence
-however, he fortified his estates in cumbria and raised an army of 3,000 men
-in feb 1570, Baron Hunsdon was sent to arrest him but dacre’s forces attacked
-Hunsdon’s forces won, 500 rebels were killed or captured
-Dacre fled to scotland then fled to the continent living in exile
why was durham important to rebels
was an important administrative centre in the north but not heavily fortified, making it an easy target
local catholic gentry were angered by the protestant refors of the bishop of durham
significance of Barnard Castle, and why was its FALL significant
SIGNIFICANCE
-a fortress in southwest durham, guarding the river tees (strategic)
-a crown property
-key refuge for elizabeth’s supporters in durham
SIGNIFICACE OF ITS FALL
-showed weakness of elizabethan support in north
-short lived despite victory, rebels fled 2 days after
What happened in the seige of Barnard castle
-nearky 5,000 rebels laid siege in december 1569
-defenders were starving and 226 men defected by jumping over walls shortly after
-bowes was forced to surrender but was allowed to leave with 400 men
impact of rebellion on elizabeth’s control of the north
-failure of rebellion dicouraged future catholic uprisings
-council of the north was reorganised in 1572, brought durham under greater control
-power of traditional norther nobility was ended (via execution of northumberland, exile of westmoreland and Dacre)
How did the rebels gain control of Durham?
Religious protest - Rebels marched into
Durham on 14th November 1569 and:
* Celebrated a Catholic Mass at
Durham Cathedral.
* Destroyed Protestant symbols.
* Restored the banner of St.
Cuthbert (a J or symbol of northern Catholicism).
- Popular support - The rebellion attracted Catholic gentry & tenants who remained loyal to the Earls.
- Further successes -
- Rebels marched south, briefly controlling Yorkshire & Durham for nearly a month.
- Local officials struggled to contain them.
Why were Northumberland and Westmoreland dissatisfied with Elizabeth’s rule?.
Loss of power & influence – Elizabeth weakened the power of traditional northern nobles, replacing them with Protestant outsiders
Religious grievances – Both Earls were committed Catholics and resented Elizabeth’s Protestant religious settlement.
Westmoreland’s motives:
A key supporter of the Norfolk-Mary marriage plot.
Hoped that if Norfolk & Mary married, he would gain increased patronage and restore his influence in the North.
Northumberland’s motives:
-Opposed the Norfolk-Mary marriage because Norfolk was only nominally Protestant.
-He believed Mary should marry Philip II of Spain to restore Catholicism – but Philip had no real desire to get involved in English affairs.
Hesitation to rebel:
Westmoreland raised troops at Brancepeth Castle, but Northumberland hesitated and only joined on 9th November when rebellion was already underway
how did the northern earls contribute to the revolt (KEY LEADERS)
-earl of Northumberland (Thomas Percy) oppossed the marriage plan between norfolk and MQS but was motivated by restoring catholicism
-earl of wetmorelad (Charles Neville), NORFOLKS BROTHER SUPPORTED THE MARRIAGE AS HE HOPE FOR INCREAED POWER AND INFKUENCE
Why was northumberland hesitant to rebel initially
-initially hesistant to rebel and only commited in novermber 1569 when events had already gained momentum
-westmoreland had gethered troops in Brancepeth before northumberland joined
how was there a lack of clear strategy in northumberland and westmorelands leadership
-failed to free MQS, weakened their cause
-the rebels mored to durham, then south to bramham moor and then back north again showing lack of key strategy
-NO FOREIGN SUPPORT
-NO CHANCE OF FREEING MARY
BUT
-they had loyalty, as local land owners, from tenants and catholic gentry in yorkshire and durham (lead them to be able to control these counties for a month before Elizabeth regained control)
why did the northern rising fail to gain international support
PHILIP II DIDNT INTERVERVENE
-he was reluctant to support mary due to her ties with france, a spanish rival
-he had no real desire to engage in english affairs
CATHOLIC SCOTTISH SUPPORT WAS BLOCKED
-Rebels hoped for scottish invasion led by mary’s catholic supporters but the pro-english scottish regent prevented this from happening
THE POPE HAD NOT YET ECOMMUNICATED ELIZABETH
-elizabeth still technically queen
role of the duke of norfolk in this plot
suitor in the MQS proposed marriage plot
-westmoreland, norfolks brother, supported
-northumberland didnt support the marriage
why were the northern earls seen as a threat to Elizabeth
FOREIGN CONTACTS
-spanish ambassador
-catholic MQS
LOCAL SUPPORT:
-well repected in the north
-could mobilise catholic genres
-their landed estates helped gain support of their tenants
CONTROL OF NORTHERN REIGIONS:
-CONTROLLED DURHAM AND YORKISHRE FOR ALMOST A MONTH
How did elizabeth respond to the revolt
-royal forces were sent north quickly to supress rebellion
-rebels fled when faced goc troops
-severe punishment for those involved: -northumberland captured and executed
-westmoreland fled and live abroad in exile
-hundreds of rebels executed
how did the northern rising pose a direct threat to Elizabeth
-rebellion threatened elizabeth’s stability and poaaibly even her throne
-real risk of foreign catholic support:
-philip iii could have intervened and the pope coulfd have supported the catholic rebels
-precensce of MQS:
-she had english catholic supporters, was still in contact with scottiah allies
northern nobility were powerfull land owners and could rally support from tenants
long term religious implications of the rising
-exposed the failure of elizabeth’s religious settlement in the north
-religious settlement had been in place for 10 years yet catholocism remained dominant in the north
-northern nobilty and gentry qwew willing to rebel for their catholic faith
how did the rebellion expose the monarchy’s weakness in controlling the north
-council of the north had been recognised in 1537 but still failed to prevent rebellion
-resentment of english protestant officials gaining power in the north worsened tensions
-monarchys slow response showed their weakness in governing remote areas
what weakness in the royal response did the rebellion reveal
-large royal army took over a month to reach durham
-army was too large and expansive to move quickly
-local commanders requested a smaller more mobile force:
-sussex and hunsdon asked for a 800 man force with 500 cavalry but the gov ignored
why did the rebellion not spread further
-didnt extend to cheshire of lancashire despuite strong catholic support there….
KEY NOBILITY PREVENTED THE SPREAD
-earl of derby remained loyal to Elizabeth, blocking expansion westward
-once norfolk surrendered, rebels lost potential support from his estates in the south
how serious was the threat overall
YES
-rising exposed the fragility of elizabeth’s comntrol of the north
-showed widespread catholic resistance to her rule
-potential fopreign support made it more dangerous
NO
-failed to spread beyond the north
-key nobles, e.g earl of derby remained loyal
-rebels never forced a battle and dispersed without fighting
-the theoretical threat was high but ultimately failed due to poor lradership, lack of external support and weak strategy
reasons for the failure of the northern rising (WEAKNESS OF LEADERSHIP)
-leadership lacked coordination and clear objectives, umlike the pog or ketts rebellion
-no single charismatic leader emerged to unite and direct the rebels
-westmoreland: committed to the norfolk mary marriage
-northumberland: oppossed norfolk mary marriage and had to be persuaded to join
-disagreements over aims and methods weakened the rebellion
reasons for the failure of the northern rising (GOVERNMENT RESPONSE)
-Due to initial struggles, elizabeth’s gov was strong enough to restore order
-local protestant officials maintained contact with london ensuring coordinated action
-Mary queen of scots was removed out of rebels reach
-royal army from the south, though arrrived late, inimidated the rebels causing them to retreat
reasons for the failure of the northern rising (LACK OF WIDESPREAD SUPPORT)
LIMITED NOBLE SUPPORT
-many catholic nobles feared risks of rebellion and remained loyal to Elizabeth
LIMITED POPULAR SUPPORT
-earls had limited influence beyond their own estates (Yorkshire and durham)
-catholic masses at durham cathedral attracted worshippers but did not translate into active support
-anti-foreigner sentiment meant little desre for papal control over england
reasons for the failure of the northern rising (LACK OF INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT)
-rebels mistakenly believed philip ii would join and send troops
-Philip distrusted mary due to her french connections and refused to help
-hoped for scottish catholic support but was blocked by scotlands pro-english regent
-many catholics remained loyal to elizabeth as she was not yet excommunicated (this only happened in 1570)
consequences of the northern rising (GOVERNMENT REPRESSION)
-There was minimal bloodshed actually during the rebellion (no pitched battles)
-in the 1570 battle (Dacre Vs Hunsdon) 500 rebels were killed
-elizabeth wanted revenge despite the rebels failure so she…..
-had 8 rebel leaders executed
-executed northumberland in 1572
-700 ordinary rebels were ordered to be executed (more than POG)
-there were 450 actual executions
consequences of the northern rising (POLITICAL CHALLENGES TO THE NORTH)
-1972 REORGANISATION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE NORTH
-henry Hastings, earl of Huntingdon (a puritan) was appointed president
-givemn extended powers to enforce protestant rule
-remained in charge till death in 1595, helped stabalise the north
REBEL LANDS CONFISCATED
-earl of wdestmoreland lost all estates, further reduced the power of the traditional northern nobility
-strengthened crown control over north
STRENGTHENED PROTESTANT RULE IN SCOTLAND
-1570: scottish regent (earl of moray) assasinated by a mary supported
-english raids in scotland weakened mary’s supporters
-protestant rule in scotland reestablished
consequences of the northern rising (HARDENING ATTITUDES TO CATHOLISCISM AND IDENTIFYING CATHOLIC THREATS)
GOV RESPONSE TO CATHOLIC THREAT
-whilst elizabeth had prefered moderation in religious policy,the 1569 rebellion and 1570 excommunication meant she had to crcak down on policy
-parliament in 1571 declared it was treason to publish the papal bull or claim elizabeth had no right to rule
-1572 parliament attempted to ban MQS from succession but elizabeth refused
-in 1581 new rcusancy laws were introduced:
-non attendance at Church OF England services fined 20£ per month
-attending catholic mass lead to imprisonment
-1584 assasination of dutch protestant leader william of orange heightened anti-catholic fears so they introduced the BOND OF ASSOCIATION, pledging to execute anyone who harmed elizabeth to gain the throne
-1585 act against catholic priests- priests had 40 days to leave england of face execution
CATHOLIC THREATS
-most catholics remianed loyal to elizabeth but some were obedient to the pope
-the 157p papal bull excommunicated Elizabeth releasing english catholics from loyalty to her
-minority of catholics plotted to assassinate her and replace her wth MQS
INCREASING PERSECUTION OF CATHOLICS
-whem earl of huntingdon (a puritan) was appointed to the coubcil of the north her enforced strict anti- catholic measures
-appointed protestant preachers to spread protestantism
-by 1603 only 50,000 remaining catholics remained n england whilst the population was 5 million
babington plot
-in 1585 walsinghams spy network uncovered the babington plot to assassinate Elizabeth
-in 1587 Elizabeth reluctantly signed marys death warrant after pressure from the council
consequences of rebellion (protestantism became stronger)
-elizabethan council became more protestant:
-new figures (Walsingham, Dudley and Mildwmay) promoted stronger protestant policies
-support for dutch protestants against spain increased
