Source 1 is a primary source which clearly demonstrates the religious reasons based on the uprisings. The petition which was presented to the king at York (demonstrates its reliability as it’s derived directly from the demands of the rebels in the Pilgrimage of Grace) highlights their key requests: “the service of God is not well performed. ” This quote highlights the frustrations as well as disapproval for the way the church’s direction has been altered and disrupted the divine way of God: “Bishops who have recently been promoted by the king have subverted the Faith of Christ.
” Other demands detailed within the petition demonstrate the rebels’ further frustrations in regards to the “suppression of so many religious grievances. ” This demand is the first stated in their demands, which shows that this religious grievance is in fact the primary cause for the uprising (Pilgrimage of Grace in the eyes of the rebels). The suppression of the religious houses are creating issues as well as directly effecting the way that the message of God is being spread among the people; not only those partaking in the Pilgrimage of Grace.
A report made by the Imperial Ambassador to Charles V supports this, as it states that “the rebellion may be the way of stopping…the changes in matters of religion. ” Due to the fact that this source may overall be un-biased (as it is simply a report and interpretation of events from the Ambassador to Charles) and neutral in its motivation within the matter, this proves to be a reliable form of evidence.
Due to Charles V’s overall opposition to any changes within the Catholic church, as well as Henry’s need to break with Rome, highlight a general feeling shared between Charles and the rebels against reformist ideas and actions supporting it; shown through “the demolition of the churches” and “suppression of so many religious houses [source 1]. ” It supports the idea that the rebels actions were as a result of religious grievances. However, source 3 contradicts this entirely.
Source 3 is a call to rebels to join the Pilgrimage of Grace- it’s an Oath- trying to persuade others to act out against the new orders set by the king through a ‘Pilgrimage of Grace. ’ It’s an oath that portrays the uprisings as an act that was not solely based on religious distresses: “Do not join our Pilgrimage to harm any individual, nor to murder…” Its aim was supposedly supposed to be an uprising against policies through stating their demands- “The Act of Uses restrains the Liberty of the people [source 1].
”- Yet without any form of violence to accomplish their ambitions. The ‘Pilgrims Oath’ was a peaceful protest which is what the quote substantially defines as a key component of the Oath itself. Compared to Eustace Chapuys report however which state that “a great multitude of people rose against the king’s commissioners, who levied taxes…” It can be argued that the risings were actually motivated by financial grievances as well and essentially being angry at the king’s commissioners rather than King Henry himself: “To our sovereign lord [source 1].
”- “the rebels attach the blame for everything to Cromwell and demand his head. ” Additionally, both sources connote a great deal of tension in relation to the newly imposed taxes, which clearly aggravated the rebels despite pledging not to “harm any individual. ” In addition to this, the Oath perhaps connotes that a minority of people did join the Pilgrimage of Grace for personal and financial reason instead of the main religious aims; just like the Lincolnshire uprisings which were motivated by economic grievances.
In conclusion, the sources have demonstrated that the majority of rebels joined the uprisings due to religious grievances. However, the sources also showcase that there were a select few who fought for personal and financial gain e. g. lower taxes. Predominantly, the uprisings of 1536 took place with mixed motivations, both religious and economical.