Queen Takes Queen? The Revolt of the Northern Earls 1569 - 70 Flashcards
(16 cards)
Religious Causes
Northumberland & Westmorland - Catholic
75% of leading Yorkshire families were catholic
Threat of Spain meant religious settlement enforced more strictly
James Pilkinton- a radical protestant appointed as diocese of Duhram - attempt to stop catholicism, removed church furniture and religious imagry to closer align with Protsestant Values
Gov Intervention in the North
Put men trusted by queen in problem areas - this deprived nobility places by Mary, e.g. Lord Hunsdon (Elizabeth’s cousin) became warden of the East March- title previously held by earls of Northumberland
John Forster - rival to Northumberland’s local power, appointed warden of Middle March
Council of the North run by Radcliffe- earl of Sussex, royal control in the North & upset catholic gentry
Economic concerns of Earls
Appointment to positions hel historyically by their families / them meant a loss of income
Northumberland asked Pembroke for a grant of £1,000- 1562
Westmorland forced to borrow £80 from Bowes in 1568
1568- Northumberland tried to claim compensation for a coppermine found on his estate but the crown refused
Aims / Legitimacy
Political, Social, Religious grievences - mostly specific to the earl’s own circumstances
Put Mary I as heir to the throne and marry her to Norfolk (strengthen claim)
Disliked the power of W. Cecil and the control he held over Elizabeth
Geography / timing
North - Distance from central gov means harder to react
10 years post religious settlemet
well into reign
tension with Spain meant fear of war and Catholicism
Up towards scotland and then back to Yorkshire and Hexham
Scale / Nature of support
Failed to gather much support outside their zones of influence
commons supported due to the attacks against catholicism
some nobility involvement
3,800 footsoldiers
1,600 horsemen
potential for foreign support (Spain)- promised but never came
Military successes and failures
Successes
Held mass at Durham Castle, retreated back to Brancepeth- better strategically
Bramham moor, an important junction, could threaten York and black gov troops going North from London & South from Newcastle
Failures
As the royal army moved upwards the rebels dispanded and fled, reached Hexham and met Forster, Brief fight, Northumberland attempted to flee by got caught in scotland in 1572 and beheaded at York
Duhram
Nov 1569- Marched into Durham &captured city
Arch Bishop of Durham had upset many of the gentry- Cathedral used to symbolise move to Protestantism
794 members of the rebellion came from Durham
Held mass and destroyed Protestant symbols at cathedral
When Council of the North was remodelled Durham was brought under its direct control - highlighting importance
Barnard Castle
Dec 1569
Guarder river Tees
Crown territory since late 15th century
Used as a refuge for those who supported Elizabeth- entrusted under the control of Bowes
Early Dec came under siege from nearly 5,000 rebels.
defenders were reaching point of starvation, 226 went to join rebels, 150 turned on Bowes.
Bowes forced to surrender but allowed to leave with 400 men
Rebels forced to flee two days later, more of a temporary symbolic victory
Failures in leadership
Lacked clear aims
Both Northumberland & Westmorland has to be convinced to rebel
Westmorland dislkied Norfolk + Mary marriage
Disagreement along leaders
Lacking coordination
Gov response
Local govs struggled to control, but central gov had power / strength to put down
Loyal nobles who owed their positions to Elizabeth defended her
The size of the royal army deterred rebels
Lack of Widespread support
Failed to attack support from other nobles as they found it too much of a risk. E.g. Clifford who had already been in trouble in the 1560s for protecting catholic priests
Lacked support from outside of their own estates - no influence
Dislike / suspicion of foreigners meant people weren’t keen on re-joining Rome
Lack of International Support
Believed they’d receive support from Spain, however, Spain reluctant to help Mary due to her French connections. Would rather have a protestant England with no interference from France
Hoped troops would come from Scotland but this was stopped by the Earl of Moray
Catholic Threat
Threat
Catholics loyal to the Pope - threatened with excommunication if followed Elizabeth
After E was excommunicated they no longer had to obey her
Threat of being replaced by MQS
800 Jesuit preists sent to England during E’s reign
Gov response
Appointed Henry Hastings as head of C of N
Parliament summoned 1571, 72, 81, 84, 86
Execute MQS - 1587
Harder approach to Catholicsm
1571 made harder to obtain / publish papal bull of excommunication
£20 fine for not attending church
Catholic priests executed for treason
Protestant threat
Threat
Puritans- wantes harsher religious settlement
Seperatists tried to break away from CofE
Pressure to become increasingly Anti-Catholic
Gov Response
Act against seditious sectaries - 1593 (separatists could be punished with banishment or even death)
Refused laws such as a more radical book of common prayer
International threat
Threat
Saint Bartholomew’s eve massacre made E more aware of the threat she faced
Assasination of William of Orange
War with Spain
