Case Study 4- The Pilgrimage of Grace (1536/1537)

How did the printing press affect Europe?

More people learned to read and write, and the form protest changed to written

Religious Causes

\- Break from Rome

\- Henry VIII divorces Catherine of Aragon and Mary is illegitimate

\- Dissolution of the monasteries

\-Loses favour of the Catholic

\-Act of Supremacy

Political Causes

\- Thomas Cromwell rose to power but was of low birth

\- Henry VIII's power increases (he has control over the Church and religion)

Economic Causes

\- Poor harvests in 1535 and 1536, which lead to high food prices

\- High taxes for war

How did dissolution of monasteries affect English people?

The church has less power and there was no other social welfare charity for the poor

The events of the pilgrimage of grace (part 1)

* On the 1st October 1536 they capture a commissioner
* 4th October 1536 1 of the bishop of lincoln's men was killed and the gentry begins to join the revolt. Lord Hussey officially joins the rebellion
* They draft the 'Lincoln Articles' which outlined a range of complaints including the dissolution the monasteries, Thomas Cromwell, tithes and subsidies

The events of the pilgrimage of grace (part 2)

* 10,000 men march to Lincoln to hear the King's reply to the Lincoln Article
* 11th October 1536 the revolt has melted away due to the fear of the King's army being near- Lincoln Rising was over (100 death sentences imposed by only 57 carried out)


* Robert Aske becomes the leader and makes everyone swear a 'Pilgrim's Oath' ensuring they maintain their faith in Christ

The events of the pilgrimage of grace (Part 3)

* They marched under the banner of the Five Wounds of Christ and processions were led by clergymen carrying banners
* Lord Darcy joins the revolt and by the end of October the pilgrims made control of most of North England above Cheshire and Lincolnshire
* Aske negotiates with Norfolk as he promised to write up the pilgrim's demands and present them to the King

The events of the pilgrimage of grace (part 4)

* The rebels wrote the Commons' Petition- same as lincoln articles but York must have a parliament


* King offered everyone a royal pardon so everyone went home
* Henry agrees to Aske's demands but orders Norfolk to build up the garrison (Army) in the North
* The rebels attacking the North castles gave Henry the excuse to take back the royal pardon
* Rebels surrender (74 hung in their own gardens)


* Aske, Darcy and Hussey were arrested, Darcy & Hussey were beheaded for treason. 200 people were executed
* Aske was executed in York on the 12th July 1537 and all landowners were required to watch

The aftermath of the pilgrimage of grace

* Henry increased his religious reforms and reasserted his authority over religion in England
* In 1539 larger monasteries were dissolved and bought by landowners and the gentry
* Court finances improved, so Henry could improve England's navy
* Created the Council of the North
* He would execute anyone disloyal to him including Thomas Cromwell in 1540
* No more rebellions against Henry

Reasons why the pilgrimage of grace was a success

* They were able to get their demands to the King peacefully
* The first time that the nobles, gentry and peasants came together against the King
* The Council of the North was created- 1543- Council prevents Northerners being summoned to trial
* It shapes and influences the way Henry VIII rules

Reasons why the pilgrimage of grace was a failure

* They fail to remove Cromwell- none of their demands were achieved
* English Reformation accelerates
* Parliament of York was never made

The significance of the pilgrimage

* Willingness of Henry to use violence to secure power
* Desire of lower classes for political representation
* First peaceful protest that got their voice heard and worked
* Long Term- increased representation for gentry and nobles and council of the North
* Influences Henry- accelerates English Reformation- rules as an absolutist
* First time the different classes work together- precedent for the classes working together in the future- shows their willingness to work together

Short term outcomes

* First peaceful successful protest
* Desire of lower classes for political representation
* Henry uses violence to secure power and accelerates English Reformation
* First time different classes work together willingly
* Darcy and Hussey beheaded
* Aske executed on 12th July 1537
* 200 rebels executed and 74 hung

Long term outcomes

* Increased representation for gentry and nobles
* Formation of the council of the North