Early Modern Period

• When did Henry VIII become king?


  1509
• What was the significance of monasteries in the early 16th century?


  Place for

  • learning
  • culture
  • medical treatment
  • refuges for the poor or homeless
• What did Martin Luther criticise?


  People were so worried about going to hell that they paid the Church indulgences to be forgiven for their sins
• What was the Reformation?


  A religious movement in the 1500s that began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church because of

  • The Church's wealth
  • The church's influence in society
• What was the Act of Supremacy?


  Henry made himself head of the Church of England in 1534 with the help of his adviser, Thomas Cromwell.
• What did Thomas Cromwell help Henry VII do?


  Divorce Catherine of Aragon and increase his wealth
• What was the issue with Thomas Cromwell's background?


  • Came from a humble background
  • He was seen as an outsider to nobility and unfit to advise the king
  • There was a sense of resentment from the peasants, as he achieved something they didn't
• Why did King Henry VIII support the Reformation?


  • Henry saw the Pope as a competing power
  • Henry wanted a divorce fro Catherine of Aragon, but Pope would not allow it
  • If Henry was in charge of the Church, he would not need to pay the Pope taxes
• Annual income of the monasteries in the 16th century


  £20,000, almost double that of the king
• What did Thomas Cromwell do to evaluate the monasteries?


  Valor Ecclesiasticus
• What was the issue with the Valor Ecclesiasticus?

  • It had reports written about how the monasteries were spending their money
  • If not run properly, would be shut down
  • Those writing the reports were encouraged to make the monasteries sound worse than they were, making it easier to close them
• Four key changes implemented by Henry VIII the peasants were unhappy about 


  • Rising prices
  • Landowners lost influence
  • Changes to religion
  • Cromwell's power
• What was the issues of rising prices under Henry VIII?


  Prices continued to rise under Henry, primarily of agricultural growth, and so his advisers blamed him
• What landowners lost influence?

  Those who had been supporters of Catherine of Aragon fel out of favour after the divorce
• What were the changes to religion under Henry VII?


  Many people wanted the monasteries back with the Pope as head of the Church
• How was Thomas Cromwell's power a problem for the peasants?


  Cromwell was hated by landowners who resented his influence and was blamed for the changes to the Church
• What was the Pilgrimage of Grace?


  A rebellion broke out in Yorkshire by devout Chirstians who were angry about hte changes to the Church
• When did the Pilgrimage of Grace begin?


  October 1536
• What sparked the uprising in Linconshire and what happened?


  After rumours that one of the King's commissioners was coming to take away the Church's collection of silver plates. The crowd captured one of the King's commissioners and forced him to write to Henry, explaining their grievances
• What happened on 4 October 1536?


  The Bishop of Lincoln's men was killed and the gentry began to revolt
• When was the Bishop of Lincoln's men killed?


  4 October 1536
• What happened on the 5th October 1536?


  Rebels march to Lincoln. A list of demands was drawn up and sent to the King
• How many people were in the Pilgrimage of Grace?

  40,000
• What were the demands drawn up during the Piligrimage of Grace called?


  Lincoln Articles
• What town and castle were captured during the Pilgrimage of Grace?


  York and Pontefact castle
• What was the state of the country in the end of October 1536?

  The pilgrims had control of most of England north of Cheshire and Linconshire
• What happened 27th December 1536?


  The Duke of Norfolk met the pilgrims at Doncaster Bridge with an army of 8,000 men. Aske had an army of 30,000
• What did the marchers carry in the Pilgrimage of Grace?


  A banner showing the five wounds of Christ - a symbol of their catholic faith
• What did Robert Aske do?


  • Lead the rebellion in Yorkshire
  • Advocated for the marchers. He showed that the pilgrims were not against the king himself and had no intention of challenging royal authority
• Why was the Duke of Norfolk selected by Henry VIII to negotiate with the rebels?


  • Was a Catholic
  • Was a strong critic of Cromwell
• What did Robert Aske do in December 1536 and what did Henry VIII do?


  Spent the Christmas holidays with Henry at his palace. Henry reassured Aske that he was taking their demands in the north. Henry started to strengthen his garrison in the north
• Why did Henry cancel the pardons?


  Castles in Hull, Beverly and Scarborough were attacked by the rebels