impact of rebellions & maintenance of political stability

IMPACT

1) The success of some rebellions in modifying policy

The government modified policy to decrease antagonism against the regime.
Economic= H VII +VIII both did not collect tax due to popular protest against their taxation policy (Cornish and Amicable Grant).

Social= 1549 led to the modification of social policy- vagrancy Act of 1547 replaced with the 1552 Poor Law. The earlier policy had been controversial- condemned vagrants to 2 yrs slavery for a first crime and for life for any subsequent misdemeanour.

Political= P of G contributed to the downfall of Cromwell 1540- their demands suggested that they held him responsible for the unpopular policies. Wyatt’s- Philip was not crowned in England.

Religious= P of G helped slow down the dissolution of the monasteries and the process of Reformation.

The fears of government

Throughout the period the Tudors always had great fear of rebellion, partly based on a fear about there control of the country and partly about specific threats.

Dynastic- At the start of the reign Henry felt insecure about his hold on power and this was made worse by Simnel, Warbeck. He also feared the Nobility, though was lucky in that they gave him little real threat. Henry VIII also feared the nobility and in 1521 ordered Wolsey to ‘keep close watch’ on the nobility. After 1534 religion complicated this situation with the Lady Jane Grey affair, and the threat posed by Mary Queen of Scots.

Religion After the government was worried about the threat presented by the Catholics,( except Mary worried by the Protestants. Even Elizabeth showed great fear of rebellion, and refused to here the…