Summary Elizabeth I: Rebellions and Catholic Threat
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Course
Unit 2 - Historical Issues: Periods of Change
Institution
AQA
Document exploring the Catholic threat and rebellions under Elizabeth I's reign.
Rebellions: Northern Rebellion, Essex Rebellion, Fitzgerald Rebellion and Tyrone's Rebellion
- Not for the heart of their beliefs but for the outward practice of their beliefs
- Unlike Mary I Elizabeth did not seek to root out heresy
- She did not view them as politically disloyal
- Even in the 1580s and 1590s those occasionally guilty of recusancy were welcomed at
court and sat in the House of Lords, whereas the Duke of Norfolk had outwardly
accepted the Settlement but still plotted against her
- At the beginning of her reign legislation was not that strictly enforced
- Jesuits and Seminary priests were treated more harshly
- Elizabeth was often reluctant to seek advice from her extreme Protestant councillors
such as Walsingham
- In 1581 she intervened to modify the penalties proposed in parliamentary legislation-
she did not want to penalise people for religious beliefs
- Elizabeth directly contrasted Philip II and Catherine de Medici who persecuted heretics
- Elizabeth did not vigorously pursue Protestantism as she did not want to alienate
Catholics but rather wanted to win them over
- 1570s onwards all Catholics were seen as potential rebels ready to welcome a foreign
invader
- 1580s priests were being accused of treason and works deliberately linked to the
overthrow of government, even when there was no proof
- Legislation intensified as war with Spain approached, however the danger of English
Catholics was exaggerated
Northern Rebellion
Why did the rebellion take place?
- Believed Elizabeth’s government and religious settlement was heretical
- Wanted to make Mary Queen of Scots heir to the English throne
- Northumberland had suffered badly from Elizabeth’s reassertion of the policies of her
father- weakening the power of great magnate families on the marches
• Deprived him of his Wardenship of Middle March and allowed him no part in the
custody of Mary
• 1568 the crown had ignored his claim for compensation over the rights to the copper
mine discovered on one of his estates
• He had declined in wealth as well as status
- Earl of Westmorland was also suffering from poverty
- Apparently the Earls were offering 16p a day to all those that joined
It can be argued that Elizabeth did push the Earls into rebellion though suggesting that her
victory over them was based upon luck is slightly misleading. Fletcher argues that when
Elizabeth “summoned the Earls to court” is was the catalyst for rebellion as most of them
were disgruntled with Elizabeth’s policies that lowered their status and reduced their
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wealth. Furthermore, Haigh argues that there was an expected Catholic backing from
ordinary people that heightened the might of the rebellion and its ability to amass support.
It can therefore be argued that she did panic when she heard about the rebellion and can
almost be excused as she was so premature on the throne and therefore did not know
how to govern. Though, it can be argued that she did respond with her firm consistency as
she knew that religious contention would arise from her religious settlement. It can be
argued that she acted too severely in regards to the rebellion by executing so many rebels
which had the potential of undoing her work. The North was out of Elizabeth’s control and
under the command of the Northern nobles, showing that she had not resolved the division
between the north and south of the country. It would of highlighted that she needed to gain
greater control and loyalty in the north. Henry VIII eventually realised this when he made
Charles Brandon warden of the North after the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536. However, they
did not have the backing they needed, i.e. foreign support which ultimately lessened their
chance of success as they did not have major Catholic backing; they were faced with the
Protestant strong hold, the South where Elizabeth lived.
Reasons why the rebellion failed?
- Foreign support:
• Pope had not issued the Papal Bull of excommunication and only did when the
rebellion had be quashed
• Any suggestion of Spanish support was false- Philip showed no enthusiasm for putting
Mary on the throne because of her connections with France
- Rebel actions:
• Earls turned back when they heard rumours of a massive force being summoned
against them
• Realised it was impossible to free Mary Queen of Scots from prison
• Poorly planned and lacked coherent programme
• Support was limited geographically and Northumberland did not have time to mobilise
all his tenants
- Support for Elizabeth:
• Appeals made by the Earls to Catholic nobility failed
• Support from Lancashire and Cheshire was not forthcoming
• Government officials such as Lord Scrope contained the rebellion and held key towns
of Pontefract, Berwick and York
• No popular support to replace Elizabeth with a foreigner or to restore authority to the
Pope
The Essex Rebellion
- As Elizabeth got older her skill at handling factions weakened
- Essex was one of the courtiers wanted Elizabeth to increase military action against
Spain though Elizabeth was reluctant
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