‘The causes of the revolt of the northern earls were primarily political.’ How far do you
agree with this judgement? - 2018 3
Agree 1: Marginalisation of Northern Nobility and Dynastic Politics
the political exclusion and alienation of the traditional northern magnates from central
government was a direct cause of the revolt
Earl of Northumberland stripped of his role as Warden of the East March (1570), a position
his family traditionally held
given to the Protestant Lord Hunsdon, a southern court favourite
Earl of Westmorland was also politically isolated and denied meaningful influence at court
arrival of Mary QoS in 1568 (held at Tutbury under the Earl of Shrewsbury, not a northern
Catholic lord) further frustrated the Earls - they felt sidelined and insulted, especially given
Mary’s potential as a dynastic alternative
courtly faction underpinned much of the political unrest: the Duke of Norfolk’s proposed
marriage to Mary QoS, supported initially by Leicester and opposed by Cecil, fuelled division
and created political intrigue which the rebels hoped to exploit
The triggering causes were political – rooted in ambition, exclusion, and the desire to
restore influence at court. Religion acted as a rallying cry, but the real grievance was loss of
political power
Agree 2: Court Factionalism and Elite Discontent
revolt stemmed from high-level court factionalism and discontent with royal
appointments and the influence of common-born advisers like Cecil
William Cecil, E1's chief adviser, was viewed by many nobles (especially conservatives) as an
upstart with too much power
Leicester, often an ally of the Catholic faction, initially supported the Norfolk–Mary
marriage, indicating that religious lines were not clear-cut, and that political ambition
crossed faith boundaries
Earls saw Cecil’s influence as corrosive, believing he kept them away from the queen and
ensured they were overlooked for promotion and honour
E1 increasingly relied on southern gentry (e.g. Ralph Sadler, Lord Hunsdon) for northern
governance, fuelling regional resentment and political alienation
Political factors were long-standing and deeply felt among the nobility. While they used
religion to gain mass support, the root cause of the elite rebellion was political
marginalisation
Disagree 1: Religious Conservatism and Grassroots Catholicism
revolt had a strong religious character, especially in the motivations of the lower classes
and some gentry who were loyal to the old faith
proclamation issued at Durham Cathedral spoke of restoring the 'ancient religion' and
called on supporters to defend the Catholic Church
rebels held mass in Durham Cathedral and destroyed Protestant symbols – clear indicators
of religious motivation
agree with this judgement? - 2018 3
Agree 1: Marginalisation of Northern Nobility and Dynastic Politics
the political exclusion and alienation of the traditional northern magnates from central
government was a direct cause of the revolt
Earl of Northumberland stripped of his role as Warden of the East March (1570), a position
his family traditionally held
given to the Protestant Lord Hunsdon, a southern court favourite
Earl of Westmorland was also politically isolated and denied meaningful influence at court
arrival of Mary QoS in 1568 (held at Tutbury under the Earl of Shrewsbury, not a northern
Catholic lord) further frustrated the Earls - they felt sidelined and insulted, especially given
Mary’s potential as a dynastic alternative
courtly faction underpinned much of the political unrest: the Duke of Norfolk’s proposed
marriage to Mary QoS, supported initially by Leicester and opposed by Cecil, fuelled division
and created political intrigue which the rebels hoped to exploit
The triggering causes were political – rooted in ambition, exclusion, and the desire to
restore influence at court. Religion acted as a rallying cry, but the real grievance was loss of
political power
Agree 2: Court Factionalism and Elite Discontent
revolt stemmed from high-level court factionalism and discontent with royal
appointments and the influence of common-born advisers like Cecil
William Cecil, E1's chief adviser, was viewed by many nobles (especially conservatives) as an
upstart with too much power
Leicester, often an ally of the Catholic faction, initially supported the Norfolk–Mary
marriage, indicating that religious lines were not clear-cut, and that political ambition
crossed faith boundaries
Earls saw Cecil’s influence as corrosive, believing he kept them away from the queen and
ensured they were overlooked for promotion and honour
E1 increasingly relied on southern gentry (e.g. Ralph Sadler, Lord Hunsdon) for northern
governance, fuelling regional resentment and political alienation
Political factors were long-standing and deeply felt among the nobility. While they used
religion to gain mass support, the root cause of the elite rebellion was political
marginalisation
Disagree 1: Religious Conservatism and Grassroots Catholicism
revolt had a strong religious character, especially in the motivations of the lower classes
and some gentry who were loyal to the old faith
proclamation issued at Durham Cathedral spoke of restoring the 'ancient religion' and
called on supporters to defend the Catholic Church
rebels held mass in Durham Cathedral and destroyed Protestant symbols – clear indicators
of religious motivation
