Queen takes Queen? The revolt of the northern earls: 1569-1570
Causes of the revolt
Cecil
- Cecil: moderate Protestant who was Elizabeth’s chief minister – implements policy decisions and his influence over the
Queen was resented. Becomes Secretary of State in 1558 and title of Lord Burghley in 1571
- his rival was Queen’s favourite Robert Dudley – self-interest and short term aims pushed rival factions altogether
- Elizabeth felt a successor would undermine her position and a husband would undermine her power as Queen - could use
her marriage as a bargaining chip in negotiations
The Northern Earls
- Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, northern nobility, Earl of N + W – motivated to end threat of war with Spain
- Westmorland: close family to Norfolk, more willing, leadership among local communities
- Northumberland: in contact with Spanish ambassador, didn’t join until 9 th Nov and only because of Catholicism
Threats to Elizabeth
Elizabeth’s options
- Elizabeth had 2 options 1) release her to Scotland or France (not realistic due to Scotland or a French led military expedition)
2) arrest her (could be watched but could be plots to free her by Catholics) – 2 nd option was chosen
- Sir William Cecil and Sir Francis Walsingham preferred 3 rd option of executing MQS
Norfolk marriage plan
- Plan: Duke of Norfolk (Thomas Howard) marry MQS, remove Cecil and pro-Catholic sympathies and traditional relationship
with Spain and Philip II – would ensure Elizabeth recognised MQS as heir and with power would challenge E’s right as a queen
- Robert Dudley supported – thought Mary could be restored to the Scottish throne with Norfolk at her side and that Mary
would contest Protestantism to keep Scottish
- failed as rumours reached Elizabeth Sep 1569 – Norfolk left court on 26 th Sep and put into tower and W + N feared they
might be arrested so rose in rebellion
- reminder that there were distant regions that had not embraced her rule or changes in Church Settlement
- role of Norfolk = Protestant with Catholic sympathies, motivation from decrease role of traditional nobility and stays loyal
Reasons why the Northern Earls rebelled
Religious concerns
- Concern over Protestantism: 1560: 75% of leading families in Yorkshire were Catholic and Northern Earls were Catholic
- Elizabeth passed 1559 Religious Settlement and the 1563 Thirty-nine articles – restored royal control over the church
- Protestant James Pilkington appointed – eradicate traditional practices in diocese of Durham – unpopular locally
Government intervention in the north
- appointment of Protestant outsider to key posts in the north – Elizabeth’s cousin Protestant Lord Hunsdon = Warden of the
East March in 1568 but had no connection with region
Economic concerns of the northern earls
- lack of opportunities in govt – lost incomes which the posts gave
- Northumberland tried to claim compensation for the rights to a copper mine on his estate and crown refused to pay
- Westmorland forced to borrow £80 from Sir George Bowes in 1568
Mary Queens of Scots
Mary Stuart’s claim to the throne
- Mary’s grandmother was the daughter of Henry VII, son of James V of Scotland and cousin of Elizabeth
- Catholic with strong ties to France – Guise family and grew up in France and rules in Scotland after husband dies in 1560
- married 3 times (French heir) and had a son
Mary’s arrival in England in May 1568
Causes of the revolt
Cecil
- Cecil: moderate Protestant who was Elizabeth’s chief minister – implements policy decisions and his influence over the
Queen was resented. Becomes Secretary of State in 1558 and title of Lord Burghley in 1571
- his rival was Queen’s favourite Robert Dudley – self-interest and short term aims pushed rival factions altogether
- Elizabeth felt a successor would undermine her position and a husband would undermine her power as Queen - could use
her marriage as a bargaining chip in negotiations
The Northern Earls
- Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, northern nobility, Earl of N + W – motivated to end threat of war with Spain
- Westmorland: close family to Norfolk, more willing, leadership among local communities
- Northumberland: in contact with Spanish ambassador, didn’t join until 9 th Nov and only because of Catholicism
Threats to Elizabeth
Elizabeth’s options
- Elizabeth had 2 options 1) release her to Scotland or France (not realistic due to Scotland or a French led military expedition)
2) arrest her (could be watched but could be plots to free her by Catholics) – 2 nd option was chosen
- Sir William Cecil and Sir Francis Walsingham preferred 3 rd option of executing MQS
Norfolk marriage plan
- Plan: Duke of Norfolk (Thomas Howard) marry MQS, remove Cecil and pro-Catholic sympathies and traditional relationship
with Spain and Philip II – would ensure Elizabeth recognised MQS as heir and with power would challenge E’s right as a queen
- Robert Dudley supported – thought Mary could be restored to the Scottish throne with Norfolk at her side and that Mary
would contest Protestantism to keep Scottish
- failed as rumours reached Elizabeth Sep 1569 – Norfolk left court on 26 th Sep and put into tower and W + N feared they
might be arrested so rose in rebellion
- reminder that there were distant regions that had not embraced her rule or changes in Church Settlement
- role of Norfolk = Protestant with Catholic sympathies, motivation from decrease role of traditional nobility and stays loyal
Reasons why the Northern Earls rebelled
Religious concerns
- Concern over Protestantism: 1560: 75% of leading families in Yorkshire were Catholic and Northern Earls were Catholic
- Elizabeth passed 1559 Religious Settlement and the 1563 Thirty-nine articles – restored royal control over the church
- Protestant James Pilkington appointed – eradicate traditional practices in diocese of Durham – unpopular locally
Government intervention in the north
- appointment of Protestant outsider to key posts in the north – Elizabeth’s cousin Protestant Lord Hunsdon = Warden of the
East March in 1568 but had no connection with region
Economic concerns of the northern earls
- lack of opportunities in govt – lost incomes which the posts gave
- Northumberland tried to claim compensation for the rights to a copper mine on his estate and crown refused to pay
- Westmorland forced to borrow £80 from Sir George Bowes in 1568
Mary Queens of Scots
Mary Stuart’s claim to the throne
- Mary’s grandmother was the daughter of Henry VII, son of James V of Scotland and cousin of Elizabeth
- Catholic with strong ties to France – Guise family and grew up in France and rules in Scotland after husband dies in 1560
- married 3 times (French heir) and had a son
Mary’s arrival in England in May 1568
