Pilgrimage of Grace - 1536

Clips on the most serious rebellion Henry faced during his reign -- the Pilgrimage of Grace of 1536. In many respects 1536 was Henry's 'Annus horribilis'. The dissolution of the monasteries had fuelled anger in many communities, particularly in the north which remained for most part of the C16th, essentially conservative. Whilst the attack on monasteries was an attack on monastic life itself, Henry continued to disprove of clergymen fully interrogating in society via marriage. The clergy was to remain, officially, celibate. The demands of the rebels still survive including the Pontefract Articles. Some of their demands included: 2. ...to have the supreme head of the church...restored to unto the see of Rome.. 3. ...that the lady Mary be made legitimate... 4. ...to have the abbeys suppressed to be restored... 7. To have the heretics..[have] punishment by fire... The Pilgrimage of Grace however was not all to do with religion. Studies into the uprisings in the north indicate a degree of political concerns including resentment towards continuous taxes and towards some of Henry's ministers, notably Thomas Cromwell. There is also suggestion that it was orchestrated by noblemen who wished to fully exert their authority in their own lands in the north. The Pilgrimage of Grace was not the only uprising in the north at that time. Overall there were three separate but related uprisings in the north during 1536-37: -The Lincolnshire Rising -- 1-11th Oct 1536 -The Pilgrimage of Grace -- 8th Oct-8th De 1536 - Sir Francis Bigod's revolt and the Cumberland rising, 16th Jan-10th Feb 1537.