Note
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Key question 2.2 - heresy
Failure to accept the official religion was regarded as treason, with individuals being accused of heresy and put on trial. During trials they were given the opportunity to recant to avoid death. During Mary Tudor’s (Bloody Mary) reign, 280 people were put to death as heretics.
The best known were the bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley who were burned in 1555.
In Wales three Protestants were killed during Mary’s reign:
Robert Ferrar, Bishop of St. David’s in 1555
Rawlins White, a fisherman burned in Cardiff in 1555
William Nichol, a labourer burned in 1558.
During Elizabeth I’s reign she was vigilant against Catholics.
The first to be executed in Wales was Richard Gwyn, a school teacher from Llanidloes, executed in Wrexham in 1584.
William Davies was executed in 1593 for publishing Catholic pamphlets and John Penry was executed for spreading Puritan ideas.
There were several rebellions during the period that could have challenged the position of the monarchs:
Pilgrimage of Grace 1536 – caused by religion, led by Robert Aske.
Wyatt’s Rebellion 1554 – caused by religion, led by Thomas Wyatt.
Apprentice Riots 1595 – caused by economic problems, it was spontaneous.
Gunpowder Plot 1605 – caused by religion/power, led by Robert Catesby.
Popish Plot 1678 – caused by religion, led by Titus Oates.
Monmouth Rebellion 1685 – caused by religion/power, led by the Duke of Monmouth.
One of the most serious acts of treason during this period was the Gunpowder Plot of November 1605.
This was a religiously motivated attempt by a group of Catholics to assassinate King James I by blowing up Parliament.
Many Catholics were angry that James had enforced laws against Catholic worship. They disliked the heavy fines imposed on recusants for not attending the Church of England services.
The plan failed when Guy Fawkes was caught beneath Parliament.
Challenges to authority such as this grew in the 16th Century and peaked with the Civil War of the mid-17th Century.