Evaluating the Pilgrimage of Grace

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Reasons for the Pilgrimage of Grace's Failure

There were several reasons for the failure of the Pilgrimage of Grace:

Trusting Henry VIII

The main reason for the rebellion’s failure was Aske’s faith in the King to keep his promises.
Aske didn’t know Henry would break his promises.
He was educated and intelligent, and Henry gave him no reason to distrust him, even inviting him to court for Christmas. Aske was not naive, just tricked.

Reasons for Henry VIII breaking his promises

Henry could not be seen to give in to the pilgrim’s demands as it would weaken his reputation.
It would also be impossible for him to admit the failure of his political and religious reforms.

Dissolution after the Pilgrimage of Grace

Henry actually sped up the Dissolution after the Pilgrimage as he saw monasteries as a centre for the opposition.

Council of the North

Henry increased the power of the Council of the North to deal with any further unrest.

Significance of the Pilgrimage of Grace

Despite the eventual defeat of the Pilgrimage of Grace, it was still significant.

The scale of rebellion

The Pilgrimage of Grace was the largest rebellion any Tudor monarch faced and showed just how unpopular his religious policies were.

Strength of Henry VIII's army

The pilgrims probably would have won if they had faced Henry’s army in battle as they were well-armed, disciplined and determined.
There were 40,000 of them against only a few thousand under Norfolk.

Negotiating with Henry VIII

The pilgrims forced Henry to make compromises.
He had to negotiate with them and granted a pardon when he personally wanted to punish them and had to promise to stop the dissolution and hold a northern parliament.

1Henry VIII & Wolsey, 1509-1529

1.1Henry VIII & Wolsey, 1509-1529

1.1.1Henry VIII, Renaissance Prince

1.1.2The Rise of Wolsey

1.1.3Wolsey's Domestic Reforms

1.1.4Wolsey's Foreign Policy

1.1.5Evaluating Wolsey's Foreign Policy

1.1.6The Succession & Annulment

1.1.7Fall of Wolsey

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Wolsey

1.1.9End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Wolsey 2

2Henry VIII & Cromwell, 1529-1540

2.1Henry VIII & Cromwell, 1529-1540

2.1.1The Rise of Cromwell

2.1.2The King's Annulment

2.1.3Cromwell & the King's Marriages

2.1.4Cromwell & Government

2.1.5Cromwell & Parliament

2.1.6Fall of Cromwell

2.1.7End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Cromewell

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Cromwell 2

3The Reformation & its Impact, 1529-1540

3.1The Reformation & its Impact, 1529-1540

3.1.1The Break with Rome

3.1.2Opposition to the Reformation

3.1.3Impact of the Reformation

3.1.4Role of Religious Houses

3.1.5Dissolution of the Monasteries

3.1.6Impact of Dissolution

3.1.7The Pilgrimage of Grace

3.1.8Evaluating the Pilgrimage of Grace

3.1.9End of Topic Test - The Reformation

3.1.10End of Topic Test - The Reformation 2

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