rebellion and unrest - Mary I

Root cause of Wyatt’s rebellion

Due to Mary’s decision to marry Phillip of Spain rather than Edward Courtney,

How did the rebellion gain so much interest?

Englands hatred of foreigners, stories circulated that court would be filled with Spaniards with no posts or patronage available to the English

Also fears that Mary would be dominated by her husband and lead to England being dragged into Habsburg wars

Why was a proclamation issued?

Against “unlawful and rebellious assemblies”

What rumours began to circulate?

Mary would be removed and replace by Elizabeth, by December 1553 these turned into a plot

How did court find out about the plot?

A examination of Edward Courtenay ( who the rebels planned to marry Elizabeth), revealed the details and force the rebels to act before they were ready

How was the rebellion set to fail?

The original plan of a 4 pronged attack failed, only Kent raised up under Wyatt

Why did Wyatt rebel?

Though he supported Mary’s claim to the throne, the proposed marriage cause him to switch sides

He was fearful that he would lose his position and influence when the Spanish gentry arrived

Why did other gentry want to rebel?

Mary’s rise to the throne had already caused many who were supporters of Edward to lose there position, they saw the only way to save and recover the decline in there power was to rebel

Why was the appeal of xenophobia and nationalism a clever tactic?

Made it difficult to raise forces against , in a religiously divided nation an appeal to patriotic sentiment was always going to gain more support than going for a religious angle

How did Wyatt play on people’s fears and exploit the unknown?

Exaggerated what would happen when Phillip arrived in England, including Spaniards taking the best jobs, patronage etc and the claim that Spanish rule would lead to the loss of liberties

What happened to the forces sent under Duke of Norfolk

They deserted under the cry’s ‘we are all Englishmen’

Evidence Wyatt’s was linked to religion

• Leaders of all 4 areas all had Protestant sympathisers

• Area where Wyatt gained his support was in Kent which was religiously radical

• Wyatt received advice from the deprived Protestant bishop of Winchester

• No prominent member of the rebellion was catholic

• When the rebels reached London, they attacked the property of gardener the new catholic bishop of Winchester

Economic reasons for Wyatt’s rebellion

Decline in Kentish cloth trade = rising unemployment

Was the unrest ever serious

Yes lady Jane grey was proclaimed queen and Wyatts rebellion reached the gates of London