Northern Earls Revolt

• What caused the Earls to rebel in 1569?

  • The Earls' religion was repressed and they had lost power in the Royal Court of Elizabeth - this pushed them to rebel
  • Elizabeth was childless and had no heir, leaving uncertainty in England's future - this pulled them to rebel
  • A successful rebellion would make Mary Queen of England and restore Catholicism - this pulled the Earls to rebel
• The plan was:

  • Westmorland and Northumberland would raise an army to take control of Durham
  • The rebels would march to London and combine with the Duke of Norfolk's forces
  • Spanish troops would land in England and support the revolt
  • The rebels would overthrow Elizabeth and her government
  • Mary would be released from prison, marry Duk of Norfolk, become Queen of England
• • Robert Dudley informed Elizabeth of the plot in September 1569
• • Rebellion failed because Spanish troops did not arrive and Elizabeth raised army of 14,000
• • Approx. 450 rebels executed
  • Westmorland escaped
  • Northumberland captured and executed
• • Failed revolt led to pope to issue papal bull in 1570
  • This excommunicated Elizabeth and called Catholics to depose her
  • He hoped he would encourage another rebellion
  • Elizabeth retaliated by passing laws which made it treasonable to claim Elizabeth was a heretic, or not the queen and to print papal bulls in England
• Significance:

  • Treason laws became harsher
  • Ended power and influence of large northern families
  • Prompted harsher treatment on Catholics
  • Elizabeth’s revenge indicated how serious rebelling was, so many Catholics stayed loyal
  • Pope's papal bull was turning point - Catholic loyalty to Elizabeth was always in doubt