Nature of Rebellions

Objectives:

- Dynastic rebelllions intended to overthrow the Monarch

-Demonstrations against goverment policies

-Irish rebellions sought to gain independance

Dynastic Rebellions

1486,1487,1497 - Yorkists claimants overthrowing Henry VII

Northumberlands rebellion with LJG

As rebellions developed the leaders changed their objectives.

Wyatt could not have assumed Mary would have cancelled her marriage so he tried to put Elizabeth on the throne

Northern Earls truned the rebellion religious when they couldn't get to Mary

Essex rebellion had mixed objectives,none of his ideas succeeded or got close to achieving goals.

Anti Govement demonstrations:

Taxation in 1489,1497 and 1525 - main objective of rebellion was to stop the unpopular tax.Behind these were social economic issues.The major rebellions in England were primarily a reaction to protestant reforms,there is a common theme of discontented catholics.

Irish rebellions

Ever since Kildares rebellion resentment had been growing in Irish nobles families.It's objective was to expel the English and preserve the catholic faith although O Neil privately wanted power for himself,similar to the Northern Earls.

Duration

The greater the distance from London,the more troublesome the area-the longer a rebellion lasts.

Examples:

In Ireland the administration had to wait for instructions from London hence why the Munster rebellion took 4 years to supress and O Neils was not stopped til 1603.

In England the South West and Nort lasted months due to low communication,some rebellions for example the Pilgramage of Grace,Western and Ketts rebellion took longer due to the inability of government.Rebellions that began in or near London lasted a short amount of time becasue the Rebels needed to strike before troops were raised.Wyatts lasted 18 days while Essex lasted less than 12 hours.

Location

Most major disturbances and rebellions occured in the most distant parts of the kingdom for example the north and south west.

The south west of England resented government  interference in their daily life especially Someset.Cornwall in particular had strong traditions and resented innovations or intrusions.

In some cases rebel leaders aware of their heritage selected the same town of earlier disturbances such as Blackheath and Oxfordshire.

Particular areas were prone to disorder if the relationship between magnate and people was bad.

London

In the case of politically motivated rebellions such as Simnel,Warbeck,Wyatt,Northern Earls and Essex the main objective was to reach Whitehall,most with the exception of Wyatt and Essex did not make it.Warbeck only got as far as Taunton while Essex was at an advantage already.The capital was constistently loyal to the Tudors.

Towns and cities

Rebels targeted county towns to stage demonstrations for a shorter journey from London, this helped retain a large following

Examples

1549 Cornish rebels walked 50 miles to Exeter

Kett travelled 10 miles to Norwich

Cornish and Amicable Grant intended to get to London but lost numbers on the way.

Leadership

Dynastic revolts tended to be lead by royal claimants for example Warbeck,Simnel hence why Northumblerand failed with LJG

Nobility and gentry were natural leaders in society

for example Tyrone,Kildare,Desmond mobilised large numbers.

Lovel in 1486,Audley 1497,Essex in 1601 also…