Wyatt Rebellion

Question 1

What evidence is there that religion was a cause for the Wyatt Rebellion?

Answer 1

• All leaders of the initial attack were known protestant and no member of the plot was Catholic
• Areas of the original rebellions e.g. Kent were known centres of Protestantism - largest group was in Maidestone - a strongly Trinitarian area
• When the rebels reached London, they attacked Gardiner’s property as well as the new Bishop of Winchester’s

Question 2

What evidence is there that the spanish marriage caused the Wyatt Rebellion?

Answer 2

• Thomas Wyatt had loyally served the Tudor family even supporting Mary over Jane Grey despite being a protestant - he only opposed once Mary was to be married to Philip of Spain
• Many English noblemen feared that they would lose their power if Mary married Philip - believed court would be dominated by Spaniards
• Wyatt appealed to preexisting xenophobia and distrust of the Spanish to gain support - did not mention religion in his proclamation