Opposition and conformity

• Wyatt and other opposition to changes (1)

  • Wyatt’s Rebellion (1554) is often seen as a Protestant reaction to Mary I’s plan to marry Philip of Spain, but evidence suggests religion was not the main focus.
  • The rebellion aimed to protect English sovereignty and prevent increased Spanish influence; stressing loyalty to Mary was key to avoiding charges of treason.
  • Protestors avoided religious arguments to attract wider support, including discontented Catholics like Gardiner.
  • Plan involved four simultaneous risings across England, converging on London to depose Mary, install Elizabeth, and marry her to Edward Courtenay.
  • Support expected from the French navy, which would blockade southern ports and stop Philip’s arrival.
• Wyatt and other opposition to changes (2)

  • Key conspirators:
  • William Thomas (clerk to Edward VI’s council)
  • Thomas Croft (former Lord Deputy of Ireland)
  • Sir Peter Carew (involved in 1549 Western Rebellion)
  • Sir Thomas Wyatt (soldier in Henry VIII’s army)
  • Duke of Suffolk (father of Lady Jane Grey)
  • No evidence that Elizabeth or Jane Grey were directly involved, but both symbolised Protestant alternatives to Mary.
  • Spanish ambassador Simon Renard discovered the plot early; government responded by summoning suspects (like Carew), prompting Wyatt to act prematurely.
• The rising and its failure (1)

  • January was a poor time to rebel due to bad weather and poor roads, and support for the risings outside Kent was limited.
  • Croft didn’t raise Hertfordshire. Carew failed to gain support in the West and fled to France.
  • Suffolk attempted to rebel in Leicestershire but local people armed against him. He and 140 men were arrested; both he and his daughter, Lady Jane Grey, were executed.
  • Wyatt had greater success in Kent, where he was a powerful figure (landowner, Sheriff, militia organiser).
  • On 25 January, he raised his standard in Rochester; within two days, had 2,000 men.
• The rising and its failure (2)

  • Support came from:
  • Patriotic concerns about foreign rule
  • Areas close to continental ports, familiar with Spanish presence
  • Parts of Kent's cloth industry, which was in decline
  • Protestant strongholds
  • Local officials tried to stop rebels, but 300 of Lord Cobham’s men defected and joined Wyatt.
  • Rebels seized ships at Gravesend, numbers grew to ~3,000. Wyatt began his march on London.
  • However, his campaign was marked by hesitation:
  • Attacked Cooling Castle unnecessarily
  • Waited at Blackheath to consider Mary’s offer
  • Reached Southwark, but London Bridge was blocked
  • Spent 3 days looting Winchester Palace instead of advancing
• The rising and its failure (3)

  • On 6 February, tried crossing south bank of the Thames. Progress was slow; artillery broke down.
  • Final move: attempted entry through Ludgate, but was too late – rebels weakened and morale low.
  • Mary rallied support with a speech to Londoners, urging loyalty and national unity.
  • Result: Wyatt’s force collapsed; rebellion failed.
  • Aftermath:
  • Courtenay exiled; no evidence to convict Elizabeth.
  • 480 conspirators arrested, but only less than 100 executed – showed Mary’s moderate response.
  • High-profile executions: Wyatt, Duke of Suffolk, Lady Jane Grey, and Guildford Dudley.
• The war with France and the loss of Calais (1)

  • Many feared that marriage to Philip would drag England into Habsburg wars, especially against France.
  • Treaty of marriage stated Philip could not involve England in war without Council’s consent.
  • In 1557, the Privy Council refused Philip’s request for help in war due to:
  • Poor harvests
  • Reliance on grain imports from France
  • Fear of famine
  • Events changed when:
  • Thomas Stafford, a Protestant exiled in France, seized Scarborough Castle with French support.
  • Although quickly defeated, it justified English involvement in war.
  • Mary also reminded the Council of England’s treaty obligation to defend the Netherlands.
• The war with France and the loss of Calais (2)

  • England joined Spain against France:
  • Cleared French navy from Channel
  • Captured St Quentin
  • Prevented Scottish invasion
  • Jan 1558: England lost Calais, its last possession in France:
  • English troops = 1,600
  • French = 27,000
  • Attack came across frozen marshland – unexpected and effective
  • Philip blamed for not sending aid; commanders criticised
  • But French success owed more to luck than English failure
  • Calais was symbolically vital, and Mary was devastated ("Calais engraved on her heart")
  • However, historians argue the loss had long-term economic benefits:
  • Expensive to defend and garrison
  • Freed up English resources during economic hardship
• Support for the changes and the extent of conformity (1)

  • Mary’s Catholic policies faced rebellion (Wyatt), foreign failure (Calais), and religious opposition – but the greatest threat to her reign was her failure to produce an heir.
  • Without a child, she could not secure a Catholic succession and had to accept Elizabeth as her heir.
  • After her false pregnancy in 1554–55, Philip left for Flanders, reducing chance of conception.
  • Mary was devastated and increasingly isolated.
• Support for the changes and the extent of conformity (2)

  • The false pregnancy:
  • At age 38, she stopped menstruating, gained weight, and had morning nausea
  • Court believed she was pregnant; even Elizabeth was summoned to witness the birth
  • April 1555: thanksgiving services were held
  • By July 1555, it was clear no child was coming
  • In 1558, Mary and Cardinal Pole died during the Great Sweat (epidemic following famine).
  • Legacy:
  • No heir = Protestant Elizabeth succeeded
  • Mary upheld Tudor legitimacy despite religious differences
  • Left behind some effective administrative reforms and financial plans, but her religious legacy failed