THE REVOLT OF THE NORTHERN EARLS
1569
To what extent was the arrival of Mary Queen of Scots the main reason for
the Northern rising?
Why was Mary Queen of Scots a problem for Elizabeth?
She had a legitimate claim to the English throne
(she basically was Elizabeth’s cousin - Marys grandmother was Margaret, one of Henry VII’s daughter’s)
Some saw Elizabeth as an illegitimate Tudor/didn’t believe she followed the divine right of kings, because she
was born out of Henry VIII’s 2nd marriage to Anne Boleyn (some Catholics saw their marriage as invalid)
Mary was a catholic - could become a figurehead for Catholics at home and abroad to go against protestant
Elizabeth
Unlike Elizabeth, Mary had an heir (James VI)
Mary was brought up in France, had links/support there and a French mother (Mary of Guise) - however this
actually helped Elizabeth, King Phillip of Spain didn’t want French domination of Europe or the English channel
(he would struggle to get troops to the Netherlands) so backed Elizabeth, despite her being protestant
Why did relations with Spain deteriorate?
A protestant rebellion took place in the Netherlands & was brutally supressed by the Spanish 1567-8 -
put Spain in a strong position opposite English channel
December 1568 - 4 Spanish ships carrying bullion (gold and silver to pay troops) took refuge from
pirates in England - William Cecil ordered the gold & silver to be seized = Spain furious
William Cecil was blamed for making Spain angry - a court plot emerged against him…
The court plot against Cecil…
Started by Thomas Howard (Duke of Norfolk), and the Earls of Northumberland & Westmorland
The Earls were Catholic, the Duke of Norfolk was protestant but was suspected of having Catholic sympathies
Wanted to end the war with Spain & remove Cecil from power
Plan was for the Duke of Norfolk to marry Mary Queen of Scots (thought this would secure English
succession & control Mary through marriage to someone ‘protestant’)
Intention was never said to be to remove Elizabeth
Even non-Catholics & people who didn’t hate Cecil supported the plan - the plan would solve the
succession crisis
September 1569 - Elizabeth heard of the plot & forbade the marriage
, Why did the Northern Earls resent Elizabeth’s government?/what caused them to revolt?
Cecil’s influence & his decisions dealing with Spain
Religious disagreement - Elizabeth’s ‘Middle way’ - caused divided loyalties in Catholic stronghold of
the North
Perhaps saw her as an Illegitimate queen?
Appointments in the North - gov put strong protestants in important positions in the North at the
expense of local noble Catholics (e.g. Pilkington the Bishop of Durham was a southerner who
preached against Catholicism) Locals resented passing over their offices/power
Lost Income - nobles job roles declined as JPs, Sheriffs etc took over, nobles were paid less as they
now had less responsibility (e.g. Northumberland forced to ask for £1000 from George Bowes in 1562)
Mary’s arrival in England (became a focus for Catholic’s resentment)
Mary’s arrival…
She faced protestant revolt in Scotland & was placed prisoner in one of her own castles (Loch Leven), she was
forced to abdicate in favour of her son James. In May 1568, she escaped from Scotland to England. Scotland
being under a young king who was protestant was beneficial to Elizabeth, but the arrival of his mother on
home turf wasn’t.
Mary expected to be treated well, but she could not live freely due to the threat of her becoming a figurehead
for rebellion. She was kept in Tutbury Castle (away from London near the plotters)
However, her presence became a focus for the nobility who felt discontented with Elizabeth’s rule.
How serious was the threat posed by the Revolt of the Northern Earls to
Elizabeth?
Key events…
After Norfolk’s retreat from court, Westmorland and Northumberland were convinced he was planning
revolt, this led them to rise on their own also
By the time news of Norfolk’s surrender to Elizabeth reached them, their plans were too advanced to be
abandoned
Westmorland & Northumberland were called for questioning at the council of the North
Elizabeth was still suspicious so called them to London
November 9th - In fear of what she would do to them in London they chose to just rebel
Westmorland’s supporters gathered at Brancepeth castle in Durham (some were commoners) &
Northumberland joined out of fear of capture
Gentry who were loyal to the Queen gathered at Barnard Castle under Sir George Bowes
Rebels marched on Durham and celebrated Catholic mass in the cathedral & destroyed protestant
symbols like the Bishop of Durham had once done to Catholic symbols such as the banner of St.Cuthbert
They returned to Brancepeth then marched south wanting to involve Yorkshire in rebellion
They issued proclamations at this point
Proclaimed loyalty to Elizabeth
Wanted to defend her from Cecil
They referred to themselves as concerned subjects not rebels
Wanted to act for the ‘common good’
22nd Nov - rebels reach Bramham Moor - road junction that joined the North and London - could threaten
York (council of the North HQ) and London. Mary Q/S was only 40 miles away also.
Rebels had = 3800 footmen & 1600 horsemen
1569
To what extent was the arrival of Mary Queen of Scots the main reason for
the Northern rising?
Why was Mary Queen of Scots a problem for Elizabeth?
She had a legitimate claim to the English throne
(she basically was Elizabeth’s cousin - Marys grandmother was Margaret, one of Henry VII’s daughter’s)
Some saw Elizabeth as an illegitimate Tudor/didn’t believe she followed the divine right of kings, because she
was born out of Henry VIII’s 2nd marriage to Anne Boleyn (some Catholics saw their marriage as invalid)
Mary was a catholic - could become a figurehead for Catholics at home and abroad to go against protestant
Elizabeth
Unlike Elizabeth, Mary had an heir (James VI)
Mary was brought up in France, had links/support there and a French mother (Mary of Guise) - however this
actually helped Elizabeth, King Phillip of Spain didn’t want French domination of Europe or the English channel
(he would struggle to get troops to the Netherlands) so backed Elizabeth, despite her being protestant
Why did relations with Spain deteriorate?
A protestant rebellion took place in the Netherlands & was brutally supressed by the Spanish 1567-8 -
put Spain in a strong position opposite English channel
December 1568 - 4 Spanish ships carrying bullion (gold and silver to pay troops) took refuge from
pirates in England - William Cecil ordered the gold & silver to be seized = Spain furious
William Cecil was blamed for making Spain angry - a court plot emerged against him…
The court plot against Cecil…
Started by Thomas Howard (Duke of Norfolk), and the Earls of Northumberland & Westmorland
The Earls were Catholic, the Duke of Norfolk was protestant but was suspected of having Catholic sympathies
Wanted to end the war with Spain & remove Cecil from power
Plan was for the Duke of Norfolk to marry Mary Queen of Scots (thought this would secure English
succession & control Mary through marriage to someone ‘protestant’)
Intention was never said to be to remove Elizabeth
Even non-Catholics & people who didn’t hate Cecil supported the plan - the plan would solve the
succession crisis
September 1569 - Elizabeth heard of the plot & forbade the marriage
, Why did the Northern Earls resent Elizabeth’s government?/what caused them to revolt?
Cecil’s influence & his decisions dealing with Spain
Religious disagreement - Elizabeth’s ‘Middle way’ - caused divided loyalties in Catholic stronghold of
the North
Perhaps saw her as an Illegitimate queen?
Appointments in the North - gov put strong protestants in important positions in the North at the
expense of local noble Catholics (e.g. Pilkington the Bishop of Durham was a southerner who
preached against Catholicism) Locals resented passing over their offices/power
Lost Income - nobles job roles declined as JPs, Sheriffs etc took over, nobles were paid less as they
now had less responsibility (e.g. Northumberland forced to ask for £1000 from George Bowes in 1562)
Mary’s arrival in England (became a focus for Catholic’s resentment)
Mary’s arrival…
She faced protestant revolt in Scotland & was placed prisoner in one of her own castles (Loch Leven), she was
forced to abdicate in favour of her son James. In May 1568, she escaped from Scotland to England. Scotland
being under a young king who was protestant was beneficial to Elizabeth, but the arrival of his mother on
home turf wasn’t.
Mary expected to be treated well, but she could not live freely due to the threat of her becoming a figurehead
for rebellion. She was kept in Tutbury Castle (away from London near the plotters)
However, her presence became a focus for the nobility who felt discontented with Elizabeth’s rule.
How serious was the threat posed by the Revolt of the Northern Earls to
Elizabeth?
Key events…
After Norfolk’s retreat from court, Westmorland and Northumberland were convinced he was planning
revolt, this led them to rise on their own also
By the time news of Norfolk’s surrender to Elizabeth reached them, their plans were too advanced to be
abandoned
Westmorland & Northumberland were called for questioning at the council of the North
Elizabeth was still suspicious so called them to London
November 9th - In fear of what she would do to them in London they chose to just rebel
Westmorland’s supporters gathered at Brancepeth castle in Durham (some were commoners) &
Northumberland joined out of fear of capture
Gentry who were loyal to the Queen gathered at Barnard Castle under Sir George Bowes
Rebels marched on Durham and celebrated Catholic mass in the cathedral & destroyed protestant
symbols like the Bishop of Durham had once done to Catholic symbols such as the banner of St.Cuthbert
They returned to Brancepeth then marched south wanting to involve Yorkshire in rebellion
They issued proclamations at this point
Proclaimed loyalty to Elizabeth
Wanted to defend her from Cecil
They referred to themselves as concerned subjects not rebels
Wanted to act for the ‘common good’
22nd Nov - rebels reach Bramham Moor - road junction that joined the North and London - could threaten
York (council of the North HQ) and London. Mary Q/S was only 40 miles away also.
Rebels had = 3800 footmen & 1600 horsemen
