Did Elizabeth handle the Northern Rebellion effectively?

?
  • Created by: Luciieee
  • Created on: 13-04-15 16:51

Did Elizabeth handle the Northern Rebellion effectively?

Advantages

  • She would not have viewed enforcement of settlement as mistake - Elizabeth determined to enforce religious settlement and would have been aware of potential consequences in North - in view of Tudor monarch would perhaps only regret not enforcing more discipline into her subjects
  • Also, most be remembered that majority of subjects were not democratically represented - common for people to feel that only way they could express themselves was through rebellion - fault lies within makeup of medieval society the beliefs of which would have been engrained within Elizabeth - she therefore cannot be blamed for acting accordingly

Disadvantages

  • Clearly antagonised the Catholic North e.g. placing Bishop Pilkington and Dean Whittingham in North - knew they would antagonise while trying to create a fair religious settlement
  • Summoning Northumberland and Westmorland to court believed to have been spark for rebellion - made them feel rebellion only option - should perhaps have been more cautious
  • Leicester's army too leisurely in approach - would be seen as mistake as Elizabeth would want to crush all rebellion with force as this was common attitude at time - that this was not done successfully would be viewed as mistake
  • Also, placing southerners in roles of Northerners e.g. Earl of Sussex as President of the Council of the North - knew this would make nobles feel as though their rightful power being taken away - however, must be remembered Elizabeth had made conscious decision to place people she trusted in North

Evaluation

Overall, Elizabeth's only regrets would probably having not exerted her power fully enough over her subjects. She certainly would not have regretted her antagonising decisions in North.

Comments

No comments have yet been made