1536 Lincolnshire rising and Pilgrimage of Grace (1536-7)

Lincolnshire rising

  • Began in Louth, over rumours of their local monastery closing after investing in its repair and enlargement

  • Vicar of Louth made it worse by saying the king intended to confiscate all treasures of parish, tax baptism, marriage and funerals

  • Soon spread to Caistor, Horncastle and Sleaford

  • Bishop on Lincoln’s chancellor and one of Cromwell’s agents murdered by mob

  • Marched to Lincoln to present King with list of demands

  • Henry dispatched army under Duke of Suffolk, diffusing the army

  • People dispersed and went home.

Pilgrimage of Grace

  • as Lincolnshire rising collapsed, people of Yorkshire rose in rebellion

  • Led by Robert Aske, assumed control over East Riding of Yorkshire, adopting title of Pilgrimage of Grace using 5 wounds of christ as banner - religious grievance

  • Aske revised Lincolnshire rebel demands and placed further emphasis on preserving the church and monasteries.

  • Sir William Bapthorpe and Sir Thomas Percy, Lord Hussey and Darcy recruited further members

  • Soon numbering 30 000

  • Henry sent Norfolk, undermining the significance of rebellion and Norfolk arranged a truce - force of 4000

  • Henry issued a pardon while he considered rebels’ Pontefract articles but new rebellion led by Sir Francis Bigod in January 1537 - rebellion put down but Aske arrested and trialed for treason

  • Aske blamed for Bigod rebellion and arrested, hanged at York July 1537

  • Bigod: had been one of Cromwell’s agents, was a justice of the peace and even helped compile Valor Ecclesiasticus. Was captured by rebels and persuaded to join their cause = tried and hanged June 1537

Consequences: 34 insurgents killed in Lincolnshire

74 revels perished under martial law in Cumberland in Cumberland and Westmorland

Rebels achieved none of their aims: no parliament in north, cromwell not dismissed, religious changes were accelerated.

Henry able to dismantle the rebellion by appearing to sympathise, never seriously thretened the King but his maintainance of law and order in the north.