Rising of the North

Quick Facts: Who was Rising of the North?

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Rising of the North

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Unsuccessful 1569 Catholic noble revolt against Queen Elizabeth I.

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Origins & Early Life

The Rising of the North of 1569, also called the Revolt of the Northern Earls, Northern Rebellion or the Rebellion of the Earls, was an unsuccessful attempt by Catholic nobles from Northern England to depose Queen Elizabeth I and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots. Elizabeth I succeeded her half-sister Mary I as queen of England in 1558. Elizabeth's accession was disputed due to the questioned legitimacy of the marriage of her parents (Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn), and Elizabeth's own questioned legitimacy due to the Act of Succession 1536. Under Henry VIII and his advisor Thomas Cromwell, power was gradually shifted from regional institutions to royal control. This course was encouraged by Elizabeth's counsellors such as William Cecil and a policy of centralization was the approach favoured by Elizabeth herself at least in regards to the northern border region.

Career & Major Achievements

Opponents of Elizabeth looked to Mary, Queen of Scots, the descendant of Henry VIII's sister Margaret. The claims were initially put forward by Mary's father-in-law, King Henry II of France, and Mary upheld them after her return to Scotland in 1561. Many English Catholics, then a significant portion of the population, supported Mary's claim as a way to restore Roman Catholicism. This position was especially strong in Northern England, where several powerful nobles were Roman Catholics; there had been similar risings against Henry VIII; the Pilgrimage of Grace of 1536 and Bigod's Rebellion of 1537. Supporters of Mary hoped for aid from France (among Scots) and possibly Spain (among English).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Mary's position was strengthened by the birth of her son, James, in 1566 but weakened again when she was deposed in July 1567. Following this, she fled to England and at the time of the Rising was in the custody of the Earl of Shrewsbury, on Elizabeth's orders. The rebellion was led by Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland, and Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland. Seven hundred soldiers assembled at Brancepeth Castle. In November 1569 Westmorland and Northumberland occupied Durham.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1536: 1536 Milestone — Elizabeth's accession was disputed due to the questioned legitimacy of the marriage of her parents (Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn), and Elizabeth's own questioned legitimacy due to the Act of Succession 1536.
2. 1558: 1558 Milestone — Elizabeth I succeeded her half-sister Mary I as queen of England in 1558.
3. 1561: 1561 Milestone — The claims were initially put forward by Mary's father-in-law, King Henry II of France, and Mary upheld them after her return to Scotland in 1561.
4. 1566: 1566 Milestone — Mary's position was strengthened by the birth of her son, James, in 1566 but weakened again when she was deposed in July 1567.
5. 1569: 1569 Milestone — The Rising of the North of 1569, also called the Revolt of the Northern Earls, Northern Rebellion or the Rebellion of the Earls, was an unsuccessful attempt by Catholic nobles from Northern England to depose Queen Elizabeth I and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Rising of the North

True or False: “The primary goal of the Rising of the North was to restore England to Catholicism and place Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The rebellion aimed to depose Elizabeth I and replace her with Catholic claimant Mary, Queen of Scots.

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