Wyatts rebellion

Question 1

List the events of the Wyatts rebellion (1553)

Answer 1

• Autumn 1553- Plot emerges to marry Edward Courtenay to Elizabeth
• December 1553- A plan for 4 uprisings to occur on the 18th March 1554

Question 2

List the events (Jan 1554)

Answer 2

In January 1554 the terms of marriage treaty were announced by proclamation and the rebels decided to bring the uprising forward, Simon Renard admitted he had heard the plot and Courtenay confessed all he knew, 3/4 of the locations did not raise supporters but in Kent, Wyatt raised 2,500 armed men
Norfolk was sent to stop the rising but had to return to court when his troops were persuaded to join Wyatt’s forces (around another 1000).

Question 3

List events (Feb 1554)

Answer 3

• On 3rd Feb 1554 Wyatt reached the Thames at Southwark but his delay allowed Mary vital time to prepare, she acted decisively, fortifying the city rather than leaving it open to attack, and made speeches to Londoners
• 2th Feb Wyatt led his troops to Ludgate, where he was stopped 1/2 a kilometer from the Queen at the Tower, Mary offered to consider their grievances and a pardon for those who went home, again delaying Wyatt as he considered the offer and allowing Mary further time to prepare, and divided the rebel force so that Wyatt was trapped with 300 of his men, and around 40 died in battle
• 90 rebels were executed, including Wyatt

Question 4

Was the rebellion a serious threat?

Answer 4

yes
Rebellion came close to overthrowing the monarchy, as Wyatt reached the city gates and this was the only rebellion of this period to directly threaten the capital and seize the seat of government

no
Wyatt might had had some success had he launched a quick attack on London, but he hesitated and delayed, giving Mary vital time to act decisively
Wyatt was only the member of the gentry class, and was unable to win over influential support.
Only Kent rose up and Wyatt was only able to muster 2500 men
No foreign invasions
Renard and Paget discovered the rebellion early