2.1 The Pilgrimage of Grace

CAUSES

Henry VIII began his reign in 1509 as a Catholic, married to Spanish Catherine of Aragon. In 1517 the Protestant religion had begun in Germany and the Reformation movement (to reform the Catholic Church) spread across Europe. At this time Henry assured the Pope of his loyalty to the Catholic faith. However, by 1530 things had changed. Henry was desperate for a son and it was unlikely that Catherine would be able to provide him with one. Henry wanted to divorce her and marry the much younger Anne Boleyn. Divorce was not permitted in the Catholic faith and the Pope refused to allow Henry a divorce. Henry was also concerned about the wealth and power of the Catholic church and saw the Pope as a competing authority to him. Henry did not actually agree with the Protestant Reformation, but he used it to go against the Pope and get what he wanted – a divorce, money and more power. In 1534 the ACT OF SUPREMACY made Henry VIII head of the Church of England. This gave him full control over the church in England and meant he no longer paid taxes to the Pope.

Henry’s advisor Thomas Cromwell oversaw the DISSOLUTION OF THE MONASTERIES. Monasteries controlled ¼ of English land and had an income of £200 000 a year (double Henry’s). Cromwell sent inspectors to investigate what monasteries were spending their money on. They were closed down if not being run properly. The process was very biased and positive reports were sent back to be rewritten. Monasteries were the centre of many communities acting as hotels, hospitals, schools and refuges for the poor. Many people refused to accept Henry as head of the church and were devastated at the loss of the monasteries and the traditions that had been in England for over 1000 years.

DEVELOPMENTS

In 1536 a rebellion broke out in Yorkshire by Catholics angered at the changes to the Church. Their leader was Robert ASKE. He was a lawyer who forward the complaints in a way that did not criticise Henry VIII (treason to criticise the King). They actually did not want to challenge Henry’s authority. They wanted him to

Restore the monasteries
Recognise the Pope as head of the Church
Dismiss Cromwell and other unpopular ministers.

The rebellion became known as the Pilgrimage of Grace as the marchers carried a banner showing the 5 wounds of Christ. Throughout October 1536 the rebels captured key locations in Lincoln, York and Pontefract. By the end of October they had control of much of the north of England. Henry was worried. He sent the Duke of Norfolk to negotiate with the rebels as he was a Catholic and disliked Cromwell. He had an army of 8000 men. The rebels had an army of 30 000. Norfolk met Aske at Doncaster Bridge and assured him that he would give Henry their 3 key demands, plus an added one that Parliament must meet in York. Norfolk reassured Aske and the rebels that royal pardons would be given. Aske took off his pilgrim badge and the rebels went home. In December 1536 Aske spent Christmas with Henry VIII at Greenwich Palace. Henry reassured Aske that he and the rebels had his support. Meanwhile news reached the rebels that Henry was strengthening his forces in the north and that he did not intend to keep his promises. In January 1537 the rebels struck first, attacking castles in Hull, Beverley and Scarborough. This gave Henry an excuse to cancel the pardons. The duke of Norfolk went North to rebels in Carlisle. The rebels surrendered and 74 were hung in their gardens.

CONSEQUENCES

Aske and 2 other leading rebels, Lord Darcy and Lord Hussey were arrested and executed. The dissolution of the monasteries continued. Any resisting abbots were hanged. Monasteries were stripped of their gold, jewels, doors, beams, lead and stained glass windows. Monastery land was sold off. Court finances improved and Henry developed the Royal Navy building ships like the Mary Rose and reinforcing coastal defences.

SIGNIFICANCE

SHORT TERM: Henry was convinced about his right to have total control over all people and institutions in England and to end the monasteries. No more rebellions occurred under Henry’s reign. The 200 executions were a warning to others.

In the long term Henry secured power in the north with the Council of the North. He increased the power of loyal families and secured the border with Scotland.

MAIN FACTORS

RELIGION, CHANCE, INDIVDUALS, IDEAS (REFORMATION), WAR (HENRY NEEDED MONEY)