Revolt of the Northern Earls

• Key individuals:

  Thomas Percy (Earl of Northumberland), Charles Neville (Earl of Westmorland), Thomas Howard (Duke of Norfolk), Mary Queen of Scots
• Why?

  Want to return England to Catholicism.

  Their influence and power is decreasing

  1561: Elizabeth named James Pilkington as the new Bishop of Durham (resent his interference in the North)

  Elizabeth did not want to get married, have children and name an heir
• What was the plan?

  Duke of Norfolk to marry Mary with support from Spain. Depose Elizabeth and become Queen to convert country back to Catholicism.
• Who found out?

  Robert Dudley and reveals the plan to Elizabeth. Norfolk is arrested. Northumberland and Westmorland continued plan to revolt and marched to Durham Cathedral to celebrate mass (4500 men). Elizabeth moves Mary to Coventry. No Spanish support so plan fails. Westmorland escapes to Europe and dies. Northumberland escapes to Scotland and captured and returns to England to be executed in 1572. Howard arrested, pardoned, released.
• Why did the plan fail?

  • No Spanish support
  • Not all Northern landers support the plot
  • Other landowners did not want to lost wealth from dissolution of the monasteries
• Significance?

  • Executes 700 rebels
  • Controls Catholics more
  • Pope excommunicates Elizabeth in 1570