TUDOR REBELLIONS!

By Kenisha Browning

THE LOVELL REBELLION 1486 Why did the rebellion take place?

An uprising led by Lovell and the Stafford brothers against Henry VII.

Both were pro-Yorkist and saw the opportunity to gain financially from a rebellion.

Rivalry between political factions - There was a big rivalry between the Yorkist and the Tudors as Henry had taken the throne at the battle of Bosworth in 1485. Both Lovell and the Stafford Brothers sought to gain social standing, political power and wealth, from deposing Henry from the throne and re-instating the Family York.

WHAT HAPPENED Humphrey Stafford together with his younger brother,

Thomas, and Richard III’s great friend, Francis Lovell, following their master’s defeat at Bosworth, left their sanctuary in Colchester.

Lovell headed north whilst the brothers went to the west country where they planned to seize Worcester.

Stafford established personal contact in the district and sent messages to others.

As an attainted man he was unlikely to attract support so he spread the story that Henry had pardoned him and produced forged documents to support his claim.

Now, having established himself as the king’s ‘true liegeman’, his plans began to take shape and he spread rumours amongst his new supporters.

The Staffords successfully entered Worcester, due to the negligence of the authorities to provide an adequate guard.

They urged their men to ride north with all speed to ‘assist Lovell in the destruction of Henry VII’.

All came to nothing. The king on reaching Pontefract on 20 April found that ‘rumours were distilling into facts’ and sent a force westwards.

Richard Burdett warned Stafford of the approaching royalist force and he fled to Bewdley, just missing capture by Thomas Cokesey, and from there to Culham in Oxfordshire.

The brothers’ sanctuary, however, was violated on 13 May by John Savage heading a force of sixty men.

Humprhey Stafford’s defence was based on the sanctuary violation and he was brought to court on 20 June though the case was adjourned until the 28th.

The judges did not come to their conclusion easily but ‘after indications of the king‘s desires, the judges came to a decision’.

Sanctuary could not be pleaded in cases of treason. A precedent had been set. Stafford was condemned on 5 July to a traitor’s death. His

younger brother was pardoned.

THE NATURE OF THE REBELLION

Armed uprising during Easter time 1486. On the 22nd April 1486 Lord Lovell decided not to

risk open rebellion and escaped to Burgundy; whilst the Stafford brothers had risen in rebellion in Worcester despite the fact that Henry had obtained mass support in that area.

During this time Henry was in York on a nationwide tour of the country.

As soon as he advanced toward Worcester, in order to eliminate any pro Yorkist support, which could be gained, the Stafford brothers fled into sanctuary.

WHY DID IT FAIL? The failures of Lovell was simple,

on the 22nd April 1486; Lovell fled to Burgundy after losing faith in their plan.

As Henry had mass support, there was little support for the Stafford brothers and they lacked confidence to enact their proposed revolt.

WHAT WERE THE KEY CONSEQUENCES? The arrest prompted a series of

protests toward Pope Innocent VIII about breaking sanctuary; this resulted in a Papal bull in August which severely limited the rights of sanctuary, excluding it completely in cases of treason, thereby vindicating the King's actions

It showed that Henry was strong in dealing with prospective revolts against him

It showed that the majority were still happy with Henry and were willing to provide support by not rising up against him.

There was still some Yorkist support in England.

WHAT DOES THE REBELLION REVEAL ABOUT THE EARLY TUDOR PERIOD?

THE ESSEX REBELLION 1601, 7TH FEBRUARY Why did it take place? During discussion of the appointment of a

new Lord Deputy in Ireland Essex opposed Elizabeth’s nomination and then turned his back on the Queen. She recalled him, struck him across the face and then dismissed him from court. Striking him before witnesses was a dishonour and Essex felt that he had been done a most serious wrong. He had no access to the Queen and was unable to obtain rewards and promotion for his supporters. The death of the Queen’s Secretary, William Cecil, in August 1598 allowed a reconciliation of sorts to take place between Elizabeth and Essex in October. He had been humbled, but with mounting debts he needed royal support. In March 1599 he appeared to have regained his position as he was appointed Lieutenant in Ireland. However, his future career depended upon success there.

Furthermore military defeats in Ireland weakened his position still further and his conduct of campaigns in Ireland was heavily criticised. In a last desperate attempt to regain influence he left his post without permission in September 1599 and burst unannounced into Elizabeth’s bedchamber. It was the end of his career: he was charged with maladministration and abandoning his command. He was suspended from membership of the Privy Council and put under house arrest. Although the sentence was later relaxed, he was still banished from court. Now he was denied the access to the royal presence which he believed was his right as an aristocrat.

In the summer of 1600 the situation became even more serious for Essex as he was charged with treason on the grounds that he had conspired with Spain and the Pope in order to obtain the crown of England. The charges were unfounded, but they were a clear indication that the stakes had risen and that Essex had become increasingly vulnerable. This was made clear in September when the Queen refused to renew his patent for sweet wine. He was condemned to a life of poverty. This gave Essex two choices: retire from public life or try to seize power.

WHAT HAPPENED? Essex decided upon a coup. The plan was to seize Whitehall,

where Elizabeth was, and the Tower in order to use it as a military base. Once this had been achieved a parliament would be called, the Privy Council eliminated and the succession guaranteed to James VI of Scotland. He also wanted to remove his enemies at court, not the Queen. He believed that power had become concentrated in the hands of one corrupt faction.

However, the plan was suspected and therefore a new scheme was devised to stage a large-scale demonstration in London. But the events of February 8th were a failure. Only 300 supporters came to Essex’s home. At the same time, four Privy Councillors arrived with a message of conciliation from the Queen, but they were taken hostage. Essex then set off at the head of his small band. Meanwhile barricades were put up, reinforcements called and Essex was declared a traitor. Soon he was surrounded and had to force his way back to his house. Once there, the government brought artillery from the Tower and Essex surrendered on the condition that he would have a fair trial. The revolt was over. It had lasted only 12 hours.

WHY DID IT FAIL? Essex had been unable to raise a

sufficient force, as he lacked a power base.

He was deserted by many of his old friends because they saw that an armed rising was no longer the way to achieve their goals.

Essex also lacked the feudal ties that provided earlier aristocratic rebellions with support.

WHAT DOES THE REBELLION REVEAL ABOUT THE EARLY TUDOR PERIOD?

Although the rebellion was the first serious challenge to the regime in the capital for nearly 50 years it had been easily crushed. Essex’s failure to win support was an indication of the strength of the Tudor Regime.

SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE REBELLIONS

Similarities Differences

Lovell Rebellion and Essex Rebellion

•Both included factions at court in their reasons for the rebellion.•Both Rebellions were stopped easily. •Both leaders were nobles.•Both were armed rebellions.•Both relied on reinforcements which failed them.•Both leaders fled when they realised defeat. Lovell to Burgundy and Essex to his house.

•Lovell Rebellion at the beginning of the Tudor period and the Essex Rebellion at the end of the Tudor Period.•The reasons for the Rebellion. Lovell Rebellion began because he wanted to reinstate a Yorkist to the throne. Essex rebelled because he fell out of favour the with Queen.•Time period. Lovell rebellion lasted much longer than 12 hours, which was the time for the Essex rebellion.