The Pilgrimage of Grace

Question 1

What were the three elements of The Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 1

1/ The Lincolnshire Rising - 1st-11th October, 1536
2/ The Pilgrimage of Grace - 8th October-8th December, 1536
3/ Bigot Revolt and Cumberland Rissing - 16th Jan-10th Feb 1537

Question 2

Who was the uprising led by?

Answer 2

Lawyer, Robert Aske. Reached negotiation with King.
Sir Francis Bigod suspicious of this agreement and raised another force in 1537.

Question 3

What are four things the uprising demanded?

Answer 3

1/ Restore Pope as head of Church
2/ Mary to be legitimate
3/ To have parliament in convenient place ie. Nottingham or York
4/ To have abbeys restored

Question 4

Lincolnshire Rising: Why was this prelude important?

Answer 4

1/ In some areas was instigated by gentry
2/ Able to raise force of 40,000 men rapidly

Question 5

Lincolnshire Rising: What were the causes?

Answer 5

Autumn 1536 - three gvt commissions at work:
1/ Overseeing of closure of smaller monasteries
2/ Assessing and collecting of 1534 subsidy
3/ Examining of the state of the clergy
Gave rise to rumours of new taxes, seizure of goods and closure of some Churches.

Question 6

Lincolnshire Rising: What initially happened?

Answer 6

Commissioner arrived at Louth, seized by men guarding Church. A local force was then raised of 40,000.

Question 7

Lincolnshire Rising: What happened after initial actions?

Answer 7

1/ Marched towards Lincoln
2/ Drew up articles + sent them to London
3/ Henry ordered their dispersal or the threat of serious punishment.
4/ Afraid of treason, were home before royal troops arrived.

Question 8

Pilgrimage of Grace: Who was involved?

Answer 8

Recruited from all social classes and led by local gentry.

Question 9

Pilgrimage of Grace: Why did the uprising stand a good chance at change?

Answer 9

Led by educated, Robert Aske, used name ‘Pilgrimage of Grace’ to appeal to all, ensured oaths sworn by all and formed well-disciplined army.

Question 10

Pilgrimage of Grace: What were the initial actions?

Answer 10

October 16th - 10,000 men entered York, handed town by mayor.
Drew up demands.

Question 11

Pilgrimage of Grace: Where else drew up armies?

Answer 11

Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and Cumberland = serious threat of 30,000 men.

Question 12

Pilgrimage of Grace: What made evident the extent of Henry’s lack of preparation?

Answer 12

1/ Many forces still in Lincolnshire
2/ Royal force under Lord Darcy surrendered very quickly (raised questions about his loyalty)
3/ Met the Duke of Norfolk - convinced him to send two representatives to London to meet King and present demands.

Question 13

Pilgrimage of Grace: How did Henry respond?

Answer 13

1/ Said demands too vague - should be clarified to Norfolk.
2/ Offered pardon to all in rising, bar leaders, if they went home.

Question 14

Pilgrimage of Grace: Did the rebels listen to Henry?

Answer 14

1/ Rebels did clarify demands to Norfolk
2/ Norfolk, instructed by Henry, gave general pardon.
3/ Norfolk promised demands would be discussed in Northern parliament.
4/ Aske met King, was showered with gifts.
They thought this was massive victory.

Question 15

The Cumberland Rising: Why did Aske lose control?

Answer 15

Lack of concrete action so rebels became restless.

Question 16

The Cumberland Rising: Who led this rebellion and what was the aim?

Answer 16

1/ Sir Francis Bigod
2/ Aimed to capture Hull and Scarborough but failed

Question 17

The Cumberland Rising: What was Henry’s revenge?

Answer 17

1/ Captured Bigod in Cumberland, Commons rose on own initiative.
2/ Norfolk defeated rebels at Carlisle
3/ 74 men hanged through martial law
4/ Gentry rounded up - 100 executed in London, including Darcy, Aske and Hussey.

Question 18

The Cumberland Rising: Did it result in any reform?

Answer 18

Henry focused on building his interest in North and reorganised the Council of the North.

Question 19

What did Historian M.E James say?

Answer 19

All sectors of Lincolnshire society rose together in opposition to royal policy.