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Religious Unrest 1536-7, PoG largest rebellion the Tudors ever faced,…
Religious Unrest 1536-7
Background
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monasteries were 'ruthlessly dissolved' (Snow) in 1536 for 'being corrupt', and the land was reallocated to supportive nobility
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reactions
Rage - nobles hate Cromwell for his influence, as he was low-borne
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Causes
Religion
the leaders of the rebellion chose the symbol of the Five Wounds of Christ. They also called the rebels 'pilgrims', clearly viewing it as a religious revolt
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The North were far more conservative and Catholic in their beliefs, so many remained faithful to the Pope
Religion dominated the country at this time, evidenced by the cross-class support of the revolt
However, only 9 of the 24 Pontefract articles concerned religion
Socio-Economic
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there were disastrous harvests in 1535 and 1536, causing rising food prices and inflation, famine
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the rebellion was an 'authentic expression of the grievances of the North as a whole' (Bush), suggests it is not just about religion as only the North rebelled, and the whole country was religious
Political
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the gentry hated the government in London, viewing it as corrupt
The north felt excluded from political decisions, called for a parliament in the North in the Pontefract Articles
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the nobility were aggrieved at the Act of Uses which ended their policy of enfeoffment, and restricted their power
Threat
Military
the rebels were able to seize several cities and castles, including York, Barnard Castle and Pontefract Castle
the size of the rebellions (2nd: 30,000) demonstrate the level of threat alongside the speed of the rebellions
however, both the Lincolnshire and bigod rebellions were broken up quickly and followed by severe repression
the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire rebellions did not coincide or coordinate, not very organised
Support
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rebellions began with the lower classes and were later joined by the gentry, demonstrating the anger felt by all
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however, it didn't spread to Lancashire
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the rebelling gentry backed down in the face of pitched battle, they would not risk outright treason
Leadership
the non-violent approach of Asks ensured the support of the nobility and the commons, increasing threat and size
the non-violent approach meant Henry could not easily repress the revolt, lest he seem like a tyrant
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as the king, the rebels naively trusted Henry and agreed to his negotiations, yet he never fulfilled his promises
Asks later was invited to Henry's christmas celebrations, showing his naivety
Consequences
Henry used the Bigod Rebellion as an excuse to order uo to 200 executions, like Asks, Lord Darcy, Lord Hussey and Thomas Percy
the north did not rebel again until 1569, perhaps Aske's body on the walls of York Castle acted as an effective deterrent
re-organised the council of the north with some leading pilgrims like Ralph Ellerker appointed, however it was an illusion of democracy as the southern protestants led the council
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