To what extent was the Northern Rebellion of 1568-9 caused by religious issues?

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Jenna Sliwka

To what extent was the Northern Rebellion of 1568-9 caused by religious

issues?

        At the time of the Northern Rebellion in 1568, the North of England was greatly aggrieved. When Elizabeth had ascended to the throne she appointed loyal men to her throne, usually Protestants like William Cecil at the expense of the Northern Earls. This subtraction of power of course angered the Northern Earls, but was the Northern Rebellion just down to this?  Religion played a huge part in the daily lives of most people in the 16th century and with the majority of the North retaining Catholicism whilst Elizabeth slowly introduced Protestantism, surely this would cause further conflict.

        To an extent we can see evidence that the Northern rebellion was started due to religious reasons.  The immediate plan was to reach Mary Stuart and marry her to the Duke of Norfolk and to end the question of who would succeed Elizabeth to the throne. Mary had a strong claim, and if she married nobleman Norfolk who was also Elizabeth’s second cousin, then any children they had together would be firmly next in line to the throne.  Mary was extremely Anti – protestant, and the Northern Earls hoped if she came to throne, Protestantism would once again be rid of and England would return to Catholic.

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        The actions of the rebels during the rebellion also suggest it occurred for religious reasons.  The rebels headed for Durham cathedral where they tore up the protestant prayer book and held a catholic mass. These religious actions clearly indicate that they were unhappy with the religious situation in England at the time and by ripping up the prayer book symbolises they are attempting to change things.  The rebels headed south and whilst in Ripon and Hartlepool they raised the banner of the 5 wounds of Christ, which had been used as an emblem during the pilgrimage of grace in 1536 ...

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