progresses

• why did Henry VII embark on progresses?

  • to show his new subjects that he was well guarded
  • Needed to secure a relationship with the north as they acted as a buffer against Scotland
• Who accompanied Henry VII on his progresses?

  Henry was joined by the Yeomen of the guard est. 1485
• Henrys Progresses’

  • Washed the feet of twenty nine poor men on Holy Thursday, and gave them alms after attending a cathedral service in Lincoln
  • He went on an extended progress of the midlands and the north the first year after Bosworth
  • When facing challenges to the throne in 1487 and 1497 he also marched at the head of his army to confront rebellions and encourage obedience
• Why Did Henry VIII go on progresses?

  He and his court went on a. progress every summer to escape the miasma in London

  He stayed at Richmond and Hampton court and had 40 estates in the Thames valley and Essex

  When he travelled, he took up to 1000 courtiers with him.
• Henry VIII’s Progresses

  • In his 1535 progress, he didn’t visit the whole of england - Only went as far north as Gloucestershire.
  • Prevented rebellion in the religiously conservative southwest
  • In 1536, this led to the wyatt rebellion where one of the rebels even demanded that there be a parliament in the north
  • Henry rectified this by 5 years later going on a progress in 1541 to the north where he stayed in york - he only did this following the pilgrimage of grace and further reports of unrest
• Wolf Hall


  In 1535, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn came to stay with the Seymour’s at Wolf Hall - their elaborate hunting lodge in wiltshire

  He flirted with Jane seymour here
• Edward VI

  Only went on one progress in 1552 to review his fleet and survey fortifications

  Edward was a protestant king and so forth didn’t visit certain areas - plus there was foreign war
• Mary I


  • Only went on one progress in 1554 to Winchester cathedral where she married Phillip II of spain
  • Couple stayed in royal residences on the journey rather than meeting the people
• Why did Elizabeth I go on progresses?


  • Went on progresses almost every year, not just for political concerns but also as financially hospitality was free for her
  • Progresses were used to strengthen relationships with favourites - stayed with William Cecil 20 times and Dudley 23 times
  • Also stayed with 200 protestant members of government
• Elizabeths Progresses


  • Longest progress in the North was to Staffordshire and Lincolnshire and in the west to Bristol and gloustershire
  • EG: in 1560 & 1569 she visited Hampshire
  • Did not visit Cornwall or Yorkshire as she had trusted JP’s and Lord Lieutenants here.