To What Extent Were The Rebellions During The Tudor Period Religious In Nature? - ESSAY PLAN

INTRODUCTION

The rebellions of the Tudor period had many factors: there is not one factor alone that contributes to the entire nature of each rebellion. However, it can be said that some factors played a more vital role behind fuelling each rebellion, whether that be religious, political, economic, social or cultural. 

PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE, 1536

RELIGIOUS:

• Robert Aske himself said that 'the greatest cause of this rebellion was the dissolution of the monasteries' in 1536.
• The rebels wanted to see an end put to the draining of the Churches wealth and the rejection of the Act of Supremacy and Treason Act.
• They resented the destruction of holy days. 

POLITICAL:

• The North felt it was under attack from Cromwell's policies, such as the Treason Act and Royal Supremacy.
• The Nobility particularly resented the position of Cromwell in Court.
• Supporters of Catherine of Aragon felt the only way to increase her influences was to use the 'may headed monster', as Court was dominated by supporters of Cromwell.
• Lack of papal power. 

ECONOMIC:

• The rebels resented the introduction of the Statute of Uses, which was a tax on inheritance.
• In 1535 and 36 there had been poor harvests.
• They were angered by agrarian issues such as rack-renting, enclosures and tenancies.

SOCIAL/CULTURAL:

• The closure of the monasteries generally changed people's way of life in the North in a negative way. They had previously provided shelter, clothes and food for those who were in need. 

QUOTE:

'Interaction and fusion of several grievances' - C.S.L Davies 

WESTERN REBELLION, 1549

RELIGIOUS:

• This was undoubtedly a religiously motivated revolt.
• The rebels wanted to see the introduction of the six articles and mass.
• They were against iconoclastic attacks against Catholic images, as demonstrated by the murder of William Body, a government agent who was sent to Cornwall to monitor their destruction.
• They were against the passing of the Act of Uniformity and the introduction of the Protestant Prayer Book.
• In 1548 Glasney College, one of the most important chantry churches in Cornwall was destroyed.

POLITICAL:

• The rebels protested against the Act of Uniformity at Bodmin.
• Cornwall wanted to be treated as a…