Post by emilyb on Jun 18, 2013 20:24:21 GMT
The Wyatt rebellion occurred in 1554 during the reign of Mary.
Causes of the rebellion:
The main cause of the Wyatt Rebellion was the announcement of Mary's marriage to Phillip of Spain in January 1554. The rebels, lead by Sir Thomas Wyatt (Sir Peter Carew, Sir James Croft and the Duke of Suffolk were also the main instigators) didn't want Mary to marry a foreigner. It is likely that Wyatt feared the government would be taken over by Phillip and that England's interests would become second fiddle to Spanish interests. There were also religious motives behind the rebellion as there were people who opposed Mary's loyal Catholicism.
Events of the rebellion:
In autumn 1553 some of the gentry at court (mainly MP's - not councillors) discussed the possibility of a Protestant succession. Mary would be disposed of ad Elizabeth would become Queen and marry Edward Courtenay (Earl of Devon). In December 1553 these plans were concluded for risings in Kent, Herefordshire, Devon and Leicestershire on 18 March 1554.
However, in December 1553 the Emperor's commissioners arrived in England to begin negotiations on the marriage treaty. On 14 January 1554 the terms of the marriage treaty were announced, this provoked earlier action than the rebels had initially planned. However, the Imperial Ambassador and advisor of Phillip, Simon Renard, heard rumours of the plot and informed The Lord Chancellor (Stephen Gardener) of his concerns. Courtenay was made to confess meaning that the government knew about the plot even before it had begun.
The 'uprisings' in the west and midlands were a failure as few people gave Suffolk and Carew any support, showing that many were loyal to Mary. However, Wyatt's proximity to London worried the government. A force led by the Duke of Norfolk was sent to deal with Wyatt and the rebels, but the force collapsed.
On 12 February, Wyatt led his troops, but was stopped half a kilometre from Mary. Wyatt and his supporters were forced to surrender.
Aftermath:
90 rebels were executed including Wyatt and Suffolk (however Wyatt became a martyr). Lady Jane Grey and her husband were executed (both had been in prison since the attempt to put Lady Jane Grey on the throne, but had no involvement in Wyatt's plans). Elizabeth's life was spared because she wasn't involved in Wyatt's plans, but was imprisoned.
Causes of the rebellion:
The main cause of the Wyatt Rebellion was the announcement of Mary's marriage to Phillip of Spain in January 1554. The rebels, lead by Sir Thomas Wyatt (Sir Peter Carew, Sir James Croft and the Duke of Suffolk were also the main instigators) didn't want Mary to marry a foreigner. It is likely that Wyatt feared the government would be taken over by Phillip and that England's interests would become second fiddle to Spanish interests. There were also religious motives behind the rebellion as there were people who opposed Mary's loyal Catholicism.
Events of the rebellion:
In autumn 1553 some of the gentry at court (mainly MP's - not councillors) discussed the possibility of a Protestant succession. Mary would be disposed of ad Elizabeth would become Queen and marry Edward Courtenay (Earl of Devon). In December 1553 these plans were concluded for risings in Kent, Herefordshire, Devon and Leicestershire on 18 March 1554.
However, in December 1553 the Emperor's commissioners arrived in England to begin negotiations on the marriage treaty. On 14 January 1554 the terms of the marriage treaty were announced, this provoked earlier action than the rebels had initially planned. However, the Imperial Ambassador and advisor of Phillip, Simon Renard, heard rumours of the plot and informed The Lord Chancellor (Stephen Gardener) of his concerns. Courtenay was made to confess meaning that the government knew about the plot even before it had begun.
The 'uprisings' in the west and midlands were a failure as few people gave Suffolk and Carew any support, showing that many were loyal to Mary. However, Wyatt's proximity to London worried the government. A force led by the Duke of Norfolk was sent to deal with Wyatt and the rebels, but the force collapsed.
On 12 February, Wyatt led his troops, but was stopped half a kilometre from Mary. Wyatt and his supporters were forced to surrender.
Aftermath:
90 rebels were executed including Wyatt and Suffolk (however Wyatt became a martyr). Lady Jane Grey and her husband were executed (both had been in prison since the attempt to put Lady Jane Grey on the throne, but had no involvement in Wyatt's plans). Elizabeth's life was spared because she wasn't involved in Wyatt's plans, but was imprisoned.