Revolt of the Northern Earls

• Why did the revolt happen?

  • Majority in the north of England remained Catholic
  • Elizabeth promoted 'new men' from the gentry into important government roles
• Who were the key people of the revolt?

  Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland:

  • Catholic
  • Lost power under Elizabeth
  • Lost his job in court and copper mines

  Thomas Howard, Earl of Norfolk:

  • A noble
  • Disliked William Cecil and Robert Dudley
  • Was Protestant but had strong links to Catholic families
  • Was supposed to marry MQS

  Charles Norfolk, Earl of Westmorland:

  • Catholic
  • Brother in law to Duke of Norfolk

  Mary, Queen of Scots:

  • Met Thomas Howard in 1568 and wanted to marry him
  • She believed she was the heir to the throne
• What were the religious reasons for the revolt?

  • Most of the north including Earls were Catholic
  • James Pilkington (Protestant) was appointed Archbishop of Durham in 1561 but was very unpopular despite being an important clergyman
  • Elizabeth wanted the Catholic religion to eventually disappear
• What were the political reasons for the revolt?

  • 'New men' like Cecil and Dudley were given influence and power but did not come from powerful families
  • Under Mary I, Catholics in the north had a lot of power
  • Northumberland became jealous of a new rival family, the Forsters, as Elizabeth favoured Sir John Forster and gave him power to look after borders with Scotland
  • Northumberland felt his position was threatened by Forster
• What happened during the revolt? (Card 1)

  • The Duke of Norfolk was arrested after Elizabeth found out about the Ridolfi plot leading to Percy and Neville pushing ahead with the revolt
  • Pilkington fled from Durham Cathedral to the south after rebels took control
  • Rebels celebrated Mass for the next fortnight and MQS was moved to Coventry on Elizabeth's orders to make sure she did not escape
  • The rebellion failed as Spain's supporting troops never arrived and Elizabeth raised an army of 14,000 men
• What happened during the revolt? (Card 2)

  • 450 rebels were executed after the revolt throughout towns and villages in Northern England in an attempt by Elizabeth to terrify the nation and prevent another rebellion
  • Neville escaped but Percy was captured and executed in York in 1572 and his head put on a spike above the city gates
  • The Privy Council wanted the Duke of Norfolk executed but Elizabeth said no
  • MQS remained in captivity for 14 years as Elizabeth did not want to be harsh on her as she would be seen as supporting the Scots who overthrew an anointed queen
• What did the Pope issue in 1570?

  Papal Bull
• What did the Papal Bull do?

  Excommunicate Elizabeth from the Catholic Church