Rebellions against Elizabeth’s authority

 

Key Points:

• Elizabeth had alienated a number of leading Catholic nobles

• The presence of Mary Queen of Scots gave plotters a figurehead for rebellion

• Essex rebellion highlighted Elizabeth’s weakness for favourites

 

Northern Rebellion

Causes

Many people in the North of England had stayed Catholic during the changes of Edward VI. Many supported the idea of replacing Elizabeth as Queen with Mary Queen of Scots. Many leading Catholic nobles such as Norfolk, Northumberland and Westmorland felt they did not have the influence and respect at Elizabeth’s court compared to when Mary I was Queen.

Development

Elizabeth was worried about Mary gaining support. She was now living England, having lost her crown after arguing with the Protestant Scottish lords. She forbid a planned marriage between Mary and the Duke of Norfolk in 1569. When Norfolk left the court in London in protest many in the North saw this as a signal to start a rebellion.

• Westmorland and Northumberland started a rebellion against Elizabeth.

• They took control of Durham Cathedral and heard Catholic mass there (against Elizabeth’s laws)

• They raised an army of 4600 men and headed South

• The Queen struggled to get an army together but Protestant lords led by the Earl of Sussex helped raise support for the Queen

• When the Rebels heard of the army they disbanded

Results

The Duke of Norfolk was sent to the Tower, as he had not been directly caught up in the rebellion. The Earls or Northumberland and Westmorland attempted to escape. Northumberland was captured and executed, Westmoreland lived in France for the rest of his life.

Elizabeth’s revenge on the North was merciless. Many supporters of the Earls and Mary were executed.

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The Essex Rebellion

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