4-English Society at the end of the 15th Century (Rebellions)

Yorkshire Rebellion (1489)

• Cause:
  Resentment towards taxation granted by Parliament in 1489 to finance English involvement in the campaign in Brittany.

• Key Event:

  • Murder of Earl of Northumberland near Topcliffe (April 1489).

• Details of the Murder:

  • Polydore Virgil states:

    • Northumberland’s tenants killed him due to resentment against taxation.

    • His retainers deserted him as punishment for his desertion of Richard III, enabling the murder.

• Significance:

  • Not much else is known about the rebellion.

Cornish Rebellion (1497)

• Cause:
  Triggered by the need for revenue to finance a campaign against Scotland.

• Threat Level:

  • More severe than the Yorkshire Rebellion:

    • ~15,000 people involved.

    • Attempted to exploit Perkin Warbeck's rebellion.

    • Rebels marched on London, halted only at Blackheath.

• Concerns for Henry:

  • Rebels marched a long distance with little resistance, raising concerns about:

    • The effectiveness of the Crown's systems for maintaining order in the countryside.

    • The security of Henry’s regime, given the march on London.

• Henry’s Response:

  • To suppress the rebellion, Lord Daubeney and his troops were withdrawn from the Scottish border.

  • The rebellion was easily crushed by Daubeney.

• Punishments and Outcomes:

  • Leaders, including Lord Audley, were executed.

  • Bulk of rebels treated with leniency.

• Impact on Henry’s Policy:

  • The rebellion shocked Henry into:

    • Easing Anglo-Scottish tensions.

    • Being cautious about entering future foreign conflicts.