Chronology of events Oath taking takes place in Dent and the West Riding of Yorkshire. Late 1536 three government commissioners dissolving smaller monasteries were working in the Lincolnshire area. Rumours fly that the people are going to be taxed heavily on things like horned cattle, baptisms and marriages. 3rd Oct. the commons of Louth march on the town to meet the commissioners. They believe that their weapons are about to be confiscated. Captain Cobbler leads them. The rebels went on to a nearby nunnery. 4th Oct. gentry join in. A manifesto is written. The Bishop of Lincoln's registrar is murdered. The rebels march to Lincoln. A new set of articles is drawn up. Henry sends Suffolk to Stamford to be on standby. Rebels march with a banner which shows the five wounds of Christ. 8th Oct. Robert Aske calls upon the people of Beverley to be true to 'God, the king, the commonwealth and to maintain the Holy Church'. 10th Oct. the West Riding of Yorkshire is called to rebellion by the ringing of church bells. 13th Oct. while marching to York, Robert Aske begins to speak of their campaign in terms of a 'pilgrimage'. 16th Oct. the rebels led by Aske reached York. He gives the mayor a list of grievances, among which were: Suppression of the religious houses. Act of Uses - people had liberties taken from them because of this act which enquired into land value. Tax on sheep and cattle was unfair - the commons were already in a state of poverty. The low birth of most of the councillors who rule only for their own profits, like Richard Rich and Cromwell. Reforming bishops were not popular. He also made this declaration: From the 16th - 23rd Oct. a number of important Yorkshire cities and towns gave in to the rebels, including, Richmond, Sedburgh and Nidderdale. 21st Oct. Skipton castle was under siege. In this time the king disbanded his army thinking that it was no longer needed. The rebels went to Pontefract castle to try to secure support of the nobility. The Duke of Norfolk meets with the rebels at the River Don. Some Yorkshire nobles go to London to petition the king. 2nd Nov. the king promises to pardon all but the ten ringleaders. He says that he will receive the rebels in London and consider their case further. 2nd Dec. the promise of a pardon is repeated and Henry promises a free parliament. Aske relays these messages back to the rebels at Pontefract. They are disbelieving and threaten to rise again. After Christmas there is a second rising in Yorkshire, as many see the king's promises going unheeded. This is led by Sir Francis Bigod. Aske tried to warn off Bigod. The Duke of Norfolk declared martial law in the West Marches. The rebels were all hanged in Carlisle, except for Aske who was executed at Clifford's Tower in York. Causes Focus your further reading/revision around these possible causes of the Pilgrimage of Grace A protest against the dissolution of the monasteries on religious grounds. A protest against the dissolution of the monasteries on economic grounds. A protest against Cromwell more than Henry. A commons led revolt focussing on dissolution. A gentry led revolt. A revolt driven by economic and social grievances with very little to do with the dissolution. A spontaneous or a well-planned outbreak? A revolt spurred by the nobles' dislike of the Reformers in government (led by the remnants of the Aragonese faction). Further ReadingHere's a list of historians who have conflicting views on the rebellion: Elton GR, Reform and Reformation in EnglandScarisbrick JJ, Henry VIIILoades DM, Politics and the Nation 1450-1660Fletcher A, Tudor Rebellions