Wyatt's Rebellion

Question 1

What did Mary’s ministers fear?

Answer 1

• Prospect of Sp marriage would provoke rebellion
• Despite Jan 1554 marriage treaty that attempted to allay fear by minimising Sp influence.

Question 2

How was the rebellion planned in Nov 1553?

Answer 2

• 4 simultaneous risings: Devon, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Kent
• Plans leaked in Jan 1554 forcing rebels into action
• Only Kent experienced serious rising
• Sir Thomas Wyatt raised a force of about 3000 men

Question 3

What were the mixture of motives the rebels had?

Answer 3

• Religion (govt tried to play this down), many of Wyatt’s urban supporters came from Maidstone - a Prot stronghold
• Xenophobia (fear or dislike of foreigners)
• Decline in local cloth industry for poorer rebels to express their soc/eco grievances
• Attracted some gentry who lost office within county

Question 4

What was the main motive?

Answer 4

• Resentment of the proposed royal marriage

Question 5

Summarise the events of the rebellion

Answer 5

• 25th Jan - Wyatt raises standard in Maidstone to signify rebellion
• 28th Jan - Duke of Norfolk’s force unable to engage rebels, forced to retreat
• 1st Feb - Q rallies support with speech at Guildhall in City of London
• 3rd Feb - Rebels reach Southwark, but prevented from crossing to City with Crown’s forces holding London Bridge. Probably the critical turning point of rebellion
• 6th Feb - Rebels move upstream to Kingston upon Thames and cross river, moving back towards London
• 7th Feb - Rebels stop at Ludgate on edge of City of London. Wyatt surrenders

Question 6

Why was the rebellion significant?

Answer 6

• Showed that although Protestants were a minority, their religious opinions could not be ignored
• Demonstrated extent of popular suspicion of proposed Sp marriage
• Resulted in execution of LJG, an innocent victim of her father’s support for rebellion