Decline of Popular Resistance
History: Edexcel A Level England, 1509-1603, topic 3.3.5
Decline of Popular Resistance
By the end of the 16th century, there was a noticeable decline in popular rebellion. This, however, does not mean there was a decline in popular politics. Instead, it expressed itself in different ways.
Government behaviour
- Elizabeth came to power in a time of social turmoil.
- Elizabeth’s policy was ‘semper eadem’. She stressed stability.
- As a result, Elizabeth and her government avoided administrative reform, therefore did not provoke popular rebellion.
Rising literacy levels
- Yeomen and the gentry assumed positions of leadership in rebellions.
- However, levels of literacy amongst these social groups increased in the second half of the 1500s.
- Yeomen and the gentry pursued legal avenues to hold the government to account, rather than using popular rebellion.
Different expressions of popular politics
- The decline of popular rebellion was complemented by the rise of legalism, the news, and contesting parliamentary elections.