Summary of reading

John Guy-Tudor England: Guy argues that High Politics influenced many of the rebellions
throughout the Tudor period, but that in should not be over stated. For example, he argues
that the Pilgrimage of Grace was in part caused by pre planning of the Aragonese faction,
but it did not go entirely to plan (He cites the example of the Lincolnshire risings where
rebellion broke before planned) He argues similar ideas in regards to the Northern
Rebellion. While the Earls did have political motives to do with their alienation at court and
Elizabeth’s move away from the traditional feudal position of the nobility, the idea that this
was the primary cause of the rebellion is not supported by the evidence. Guy writes that
only 420 of the 5700 rebels were associated with either Northumberland of Westmorland.
He downplays the importance of High Politics in the rebellions during Edward VI’s reign,
arguing that social and religious grievances were far more prominent. He goes on to say this
is because their leaders were below any high political circles, Kett was a Yeoman freeholder,
for example. The only noticeable exception is obviously the succession plot, which by its
nature is influence by High Politics, however guy does comment that many people flocked
to Mary mainly due to her legitimacy rather than for any religious reason.

G.R. Elton-Reform and Reformation: Although Elton’s book only covers 49 years, he does
present several arguments on some of the mid-Tudor Rebellions. Elton argues strongly for
the influence of High Politics on the pilgrimage of Grace, more so than Guy. He argues that
the peasantry and their supposed gentry leaders were not having come up with the
grievances presented in the Pontefract articles without any influence from the Nobility.
Elton argues that the main plotters behind the Pilgrimage were Lords Darcy, Hussey and
Constable. All three were members of the Aragonese faction who in opposition to both
Cromwell and the Boleyn marriage. Elton writes that the inclusion of Mary’s restoration to
the Succession and the removal of Rich and Cromwell in the Articles could’ve only got there
through Noble member of the faction. He makes the point that the peasantry would have
hardly of know who Cromwell was let alone Rich. However Elton does agree with Guys point
about the rebellion not going entirely to plan, he cites the example of many of the nobility
who were meant to sound with the rebels in fact staying loyal. By Contrast, Elton argues
that the Succession Plot was not entirely Northumberland’s doing, arguing that the role of
Edward must not be forgotten. He writes that the preservation of Protestantism will have
meant a lot more to the dying king that to Northumberland. He concludes that the plot was
much more of a cooperation between the two than had been previously thought.

D.M. Loades-Politics and the Nation: Loades’ view of the Pilgrimage of Grace differs
entirely to that of Elton’s. He argues that the overwhelming factor causing the Pilgrimage
came from Aske himself. However he argues that it was not Askes doing that made him the
leader of the rebellion, but rather emerged as the leader of a large host in the East-riding
after the putting down of the Lincolnshire rising. Loades, unlike Guy, argues that the
Northern Rebellion was much more of a “Neo-Feudal” rising by the Northern earls and he
emphasises the significance of their own agendas rather than that of Norfolk and his
marriage to Mary Queen of Scots. He argues that they were much more interested in
putting Mary on throne with the help of foreign support, which can be seen through the
communications with the Duke of Alva. Loades argues that the Essex Rebellion was far more
to do with Essex’s own incompetence and obsessive mistrust of Cecil than any factional
politics of the time, even though many of his supports believed he was simply a victim of
factional warfare.