Tudor Rebellions Summary Revision

By Kenisha Browning

The Tudors

16031558

Elizabeth 1

1553 Mary I

1547 Edward

VI

1509 Henry

VIII

1485 Henry VII

Political factors as a cause of Tudor Rebellions

Political causes

Evil Advisers

Factions

Dynastic issues and succession

Government intervention in

England and Ireland

Religion as a cause of rebellion in EnglandYear Name of

rebellionCatholic or Protestant?

Reason Local or regional?

Religion – main or subsidiary cause?

1536 Pilgrimage of Grace

Catholic Reaction to the closure of monasteries and other Protestant reforms

Regional in seven northern counties

Main

1549 Western Rebellion

Catholic Reaction to a new English Prayer Book

Local to Devon and Cornwall

Main

1549 Kett’s Rebellion Protestant Demanded further Protestant reforms

Local to Norfolk Subsidiary

1554 Wyatt’s rebellion

Protestant Fear of Catholic reformation

Local to Kent Subsidiary

1569 Northern Earls rebellion

Catholic Reaction to Protestant reforms

Regional in four northern counties

Main

Social and economic causes

Economic and Social Causes

EnclosuresTaxation

Inflation and social issuesFamine and disease

Rebellions in1489 1497 1525 1536 1549

Rebellion in 1596

Rebellions in 1536 1549 1596

Rebellion in 1536 1549

The causes of Tudor rebellionsDynastic issues and the succession

Evil Advisers Factions Government intervention in England and Ireland

Political

Causes

Religious

Catholic reaction to Protestant reform

Catholic reaction to Protestant reform

Protestant reaction to slow and indequate Protestant reforms

Economic and social

Taxation

Famine and disease

Inflation and social issues

Enclosures

Objectives, duration and location

Objectives Duration Location•Overthrow the government •Remedy grievances•Increase Irish independence

HoursDaysWeeksMonthsYears

Pro-Yorkists areasSouth-West EnglandCustomary practicesLocal magnatesLondon, towns and cities

Leadership

Leadership

Royal claimants

Clergy

LawyersCommoners

Nobility and gentry

Strategy and tacticsType of rebellion Strategy Tactics

Dynastic rebellions Raise an army and overthrow the ruler

Gather widespread support prior to fighting a battle

Anti-Government protests in England

Pressurise the authorities into remedying grievances

Popular demonstrations and intimidation of officials and local leaders

Irish rebellions Disrupt the Dublin administration

Attack English landowners and officials through the use of violence and guerrilla warfare

Organisation

Main organisation aims

Unite disparate groups

Enlist and pay troops

Requisition food and equipment

Maintain discipline

Hold regular musters

Keep rebels informed

Size, support and frequency of rebellions

Range of support Nobles Foreigners Commoners Mixed

Size of rebellion1497: 15,000 Cornish1536: 30,000+ Pilgrimage of Grace1549: 16,000 Kett1554: 3,000 Wyatt1569: 6,000 Northern Earls1595: 6,000 O’Neil1601: 300 Essex

Frequency of Rebellions in England and Ireland

1485-1509: Six rebellions1509-1547: Three rebellions1547-1553: Two rebellions1553-1558: Two rebellions1558-1603: Seven rebellions

Irish Rebellions

Irish RebellionsKey features•Scale•Duration

Turning points•Direct rule•Anglicisation•Reformation

Factors determining whether a rebellion was likely to succeed or fail

Success of failure?

Length of rebellion

Proximity to London

Degree of noble and gentry support

Extent of a rebellion’s provincialism

Military and financial backing

Size of popular support

Quality of leadership and organisation

Governments’ determination to

resist or suppress it quickly

How did Tudor Governments deal with rebellions?

a) Buy Time

b) Propaganda

c) Pre-emptive measures

d) Raise Troops

a) Consult advisers b) Gather information c) Send out instructions

Strategy

Government responses Tactics

a) Military casualties

Fate of the rebels

b) Trails and retribution

The effects of rebellion on government and society

Effects on Tudor government and

society

Crown servants: under pressure to resign

Ireland: serious political and financial cost

Foreign affairs: the impact on wars and on European

relations

Religious developments: the crown resisted calls for

reforms

Policy changes: in taxation, uses, enclosures, social and

economic reforms, the Council of the North

Were the Tudors ever seriously threatened by rebellions?

Factors that increased a rebellion’s seriousness

•Size, support, and backing of English nobles and foreign powers.•A rebellion’s objective, e.g. To overthrow the monarch•Its proximity

Factors that weakened a rebellion’s seriousness

•Governments held their nerve or made deals they had no intention of honouring.•Most rebellions were localised protests•Most of the English nobility and clergy supported the Crown.