‘English elites were the main cause of rebellions between 1536
and 1603’
PARA 1 - ENGLISH ELITES
- Essex rebellion 1601 - Rivalry between di erent groups at court, Robert Cecil and Earl
of Essex on opposing sides. Both groups competed for royal patronage and in uence,
Elizabeths inability to control the con ict undermined her authority. Feb 1601 Essex
attempts to seize by force strategic places in London, gathered 300 supporters
however most supporters abandoned him.
- Northern Rebellion - wanted to overthrow William Cecil who was too in uential in
court, wanted ton put Earl of Norfolk on the throne, 12,000 royal forces. Northern Earls
plan involved Mary Queen of Scots marrying Norfolk.
- 1553 Grey Coup - Duke of Northumberland was accused of treason and executed a
month later. Lady Jane Grey held in tower and convicted Nov 1553 of high treason as
she had married Guildford Dudley (Northumberland’s son), but Mary spared her life.
- Wyatt Rebellion - Led by Sir Thomas Wyatt, wanted to dethrone Mary and replace her
with Elizabeth. Had support of the Earl of Devon and the Earl of Su olk, failure as it was
not a popular rebellion and did not achieve aim.
PARA 2 - RELIGION
- Pilgrimage of Grace 1536 - Led by Lord Darcy and Robert Aske, caused by the
closure of monasteries, 27,000 rebels. Started in the North which was predominantly
Catholic. Royal injunctions of 1536 further aggravated this, attacks on the pilgrimages.
1/3 of rebel articles dealt with religious issues, all social classes involved signi ed
widespread discontent. Rebels wore the badge of the 5 wounds of christ, believing
they were engaged in a crusade to repotted the church and reverse the reforms
- Western Rebellion - Wanted restoration of Catholic prayer book, caused by the
Chantries Act 1547, New Prayer book 1549 introduced by Cramner
- Wyatt Rebellion - Protestant rebellion, aimed to dethrone Mary and replace with
Elizabeth. Leaders of 4 prolonged attacks had Protestant sympathies, Wyatt received
advice from deprived Protestant bishop. Mary mistook popularity at the time of
success as eagerness to return to Catholicism, failed to consider their hate for
Northumberland and his actions. Edward VI religious legislation gone 1553 Parliament
First Act of Repeal, Cardinal Pole returns to England from exile
PARA 3 - ECONOMY
- Ketts Rebellion 1549 - Main cause was enclosure as peasants had no white to graze
their animals and some tenants kicked them o the land, demanded an end to the
enclosure of common land. 1548-49 raise tax on sheep and cloth, prices rising due to
in ation, prices doubled 1500-1550. Poor harvests 1544-1545 leads to unemployment.
16,000 rebels in comparison to 13,000 army from gov.
- Pilgrimage of Grace 1536 - One of demands was the state for enclosures to be put in
execution, and all enclosures since HVII to be pulled down.
PARA 4 - FOREIGN INFLUENCE
- Throckmorton Plot 1583 - Francis and Thomas Throckmorton main conspirators.
While touring England they became sympathetic to thew exiled English catholics and
the Spanish plight to return England to catholicism. Jan 1584, Mendoza (ambassador),
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