Pilgrimage of Grace

Quick Facts: Who was Pilgrimage of Grace?

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Pilgrimage of Grace

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A major English Catholic popular revolt against Henry VIII in 1536.

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Origins & Early Life

The Pilgrimage of Grace was an English Catholic popular revolt beginning in Yorkshire in October 1536 before spreading to other parts of Northern England, including Cumberland, Northumberland, Durham and north Lancashire. The protests occurred under the leadership of Robert Aske. The "most serious of all Tudor period rebellions", the Pilgrimage was a revolt against King Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church, the dissolution of the lesser monasteries, and the policies of the King's chief minister, Thomas Cromwell, as well as other specific political, social, and economic grievances. Following the suppression of the short-lived Lincolnshire Rising of 1536, the traditional historical view portrays the Pilgrimage as "a spontaneous mass protest of the conservative elements in the North of England angry with the religious upheavals instigated by King Henry VIII". Historians have observed that there were contributing economic factors.

Career & Major Achievements

During the Tudor era there was a general increase in the population across England, concentrated in the areas around Yorkshire. This led to a series of enclosures of once common lands. The increased competition for resources, lack of access to once common land, and a greater pool of available labour led to an increase in the price of goods and a lack of employment, resulting in unrest amongst the population. In 1535, the year preceding the revolt, bad harvests led to a series of grain riots in Craven in June 1535 and Somerset in April 1536 where grain prices were 82% higher than those in 1534. The Lincolnshire Rising was a brief rising against the separation of the Church of England from papal authority by Henry VIII and the dissolution of the monasteries set in motion by Thomas Cromwell.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Both planned to assert the nation's religious autonomy and the king's supremacy over religious matters. The dissolution of the monasteries resulted in much property being transferred to the Crown. The royal commissioners seized not only land, but the church plate, jewels, gold crosses, and bells. Silver chalices were replaced by ones made of tin. In some instances these items had been donated by local families in thanksgiving or in memory of a family member.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1535: 1535 Milestone — In 1535, the year preceding the revolt, bad harvests led to a series of grain riots in Craven in June 1535 and Somerset in April 1536 where grain prices were 82% higher than those in 1534.
2. 1536: 1536 Milestone — The Pilgrimage of Grace was an English Catholic popular revolt beginning in Yorkshire in October 1536 before spreading to other parts of Northern England, including Cumberland, Northumberland, Durham and north Lancashire.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Pilgrimage of Grace

True or False: “The Pilgrimage of Grace was solely a protest against the King's desire for religious autonomy from Rome.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While religion was central, the revolt also stemmed from significant economic grievances like enclosure and high food prices.

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