The Pilgrimage of Grace was England's largest Tudor rebellion, a response to Henry VIII's religious reforms, including the dissolution of monasteries and the establishment of the Church of England. It involved key figures like Robert Aske and Thomas Cromwell and resulted in significant events such as the Lincolnshire Rising and the Pontefract Articles. Despite its suppression, the rebellion's legacy highlighted the deep societal rifts and influenced future uprisings.
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The establishment of the Church of England and dissolution of monasteries by King Henry VIII caused religious turmoil
Increased taxes, inflated rents, and enclosure of common lands by the aristocracy led to economic resentment among the peasantry
The annulment of Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon, succession concerns, and the influence of unpopular advisors like Thomas Cromwell contributed to the rebellion
The rebellion began with the uprising in Lincolnshire in October 1536
Aske, a lawyer and spokesperson for the movement, advocated for the rights of the clergy and common people
Norfolk led the royal forces against the rebels, while Cromwell was the chief minister responsible for the Reformation policies
The Duke of Norfolk engaged in negotiations with Aske, resulting in a truce and promise of a general pardon
The subsequent uprising provided justification for retracting the pardon and led to the forceful suppression of the rebellion
The rebellion was brutally put down, and its legacy highlighted the deep divisions caused by the Reformation in England