Post by Imorta Thaw on Oct 12, 2008 18:57:25 GMT -8
It's like... four pages. 
It's also due tomorrow first period, so I don't need actual critique, I just felt like showing it to you, 'cause well, how many have you written already? Anyway, if you ever have time, could you tell me what it might have gotten on the ap exam? Though, come to think of it... it probably took more time than I will have... 
It's also due tomorrow first period, so I don't need actual critique, I just felt like showing it to you, 'cause well, how many have you written already? Anyway, if you ever have time, could you tell me what it might have gotten on the ap exam? Though, come to think of it... it probably took more time than I will have... 
The participants of the Pilgrimage of Grace were protesting the changes occurring in the English government such as the closure of the monasteries and the corruption of the parliament officials who allowed Thomas Cromwell to control the Parliament. This revolt threatened the nobles’ power, but because there was no standing army in England at the time, King Henry VIII was forced to negotiate with the peasants. After a bit of political maneuvering, he managed to convince the protesters to disband, but quickly took advantage of their surrender to arrest and execute many of them for treason against the English crown.
The Pilgrimage of grace became a major movement in England because of the peasants’ dependence on the monasteries for religious and economical support and stability, the failure of the English government to protect its people from invaders, and political instability. A marcher who delivered speeches in Northern England sought to unite his audience by citing the common threat of the Scots who would “rob or invade us either by night or day.” (Document 2) Being one of the protesters might have caused him to exaggerate to support his cause, but unless there was truth in his claims, he would have been unable to gain support for the Pilgrimage. Sir Thomas Tempest, a former member of parliament, wrote in an anonymous pamphlet that Thomas Cromwell and his supporters were undermining the just system of Parliament established in England. (Document 6) Since this was written in an anonymous document by a former member of parliament, we can assume that it is a dependable source; he had a clear basis of comparison, had nothing to fear as the document was anonymous, and was no longer part of Parliament. Another cause of the revolt was that the peasants were sure that they were fighting for their King against corruption in the English government. While imprisoned in the tower of London Nicholas Leche, a Catholic priest says that the rebellion was not seen as treason by the participants. In fact, they believed their actions to be “against the Privy council in the name of the King.”(Document 8) Because Leche is a Catholic priest participating in the Pilgrimage of Grace, it is very likely that this document is accurate; however, it is possible that his view was altered by the fact that he was imprisoned in London for treason. He could have been in a position were it would have been beneficial for him to blame the nobility for the revolt.
The main goal of the marchers was to combat corruption in England in the name of their King. The oath that the marchers took in York in 1536 declares that one should only join the Pilgrimage of grace if his goal was to protect the King and his Heirs, expel all evil counselors, and purify the nobility (Document 1). It appears that the people leading this revolt were genuinely concerned for their government. Instead of being wild outlaws and demanding that the monasteries stay open, they protest against the root of the problem: corrupt counselors. Though it is doubtful that every marcher held these ideals, many of them did. The participants in the Pilgrimage of grace compiled their demands in a document written by Robert Aske, the leader of the marchers. Their demands mostly focused on the return to previous order as the marchers did not want change in their kingdom. (Document 5) This is a simple and straight forward document, because it is simply a list of facts and not of opinions it is probably accurate. In a testimony shortly before his execution, Robert Aske, the same person that wrote the previous document, gave a sad overview of the effects of the disbandment of the monasteries. He effectively illustrates one of the reasons for the Pilgrimage of grace. (Document 11) His testimony is believable because having been already condemned to die; Robert Aske cannot expect to be pardoned. Having nothing to lose allows him to speak freely and truthfully.
The Pilgrimage of Grace threw the English Court into chaos, during the mid 15 hundreds, England did not have a standing army; thus King Henry VIII was forced to negotiate the surrender of the protesters rather than simply arrest them all. In an attempt to restore order, he turned to propaganda. Richard Morrison, a writer hired by Thomas Cromwell wrote a pamphlet which states that to have an organized society you must have the “wiser [people] govern”. (Document 7) He is biased as he was paid to publicize the views that would benefit Thomas Cromwell’s campaign. In a pardon to the marchers, Henry VIII of England promises to forgive their sins if they peacefully disintegrate. (Document 9) He is forced into this position by the fact that the marchers greatly outnumber and outclass his own army, and diplomacy is the only way he can possibly control them. Unfortunatly, a few days latter he turns around and arrests and executes many of them for treason. But according to the statistical report from Letters and Papers of Henry VIII, only about 65% of the people tied for treason were convicted. (Document 10) Surprisingly, it shows that though only about 62% of the Commoners were convicted, a staggering 80% of the Clergy ended up with treason charges. Though this is an official document to Henry VIII, it is probably highly inaccurate in regards to the amount of peasants executed after their protests. Many executions were simply never recorded, and the government could get away with this because the peasants had no one to stand up for them.
During the 16th century there were many changes occurring in the English government as well as the rest of Europe. People were protesting the corruption in Rome, and creating new branches of the Christian tradition. In England, however, the cause of the reformation was not for change but against it. The people of England were happy with their religion and government until Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell began their campaign to gain wealth. Though the protestors gained many supporters and became a big threat to Cromwell’s power they were eventually disbanded and their goal of rebuilding the monasteries was never reached.
