Expert: Mark Smith - 1/14/2008

Question
Can you tell me anything about the northern rebellion?

Answer
Hello Soph.
The Northern Revolt was a Catholic uprising in reaction to the advance of Protestantism in the largely Catholic north and the erosion of the power of the Lords in what was in many ways still a feudal society.
It began in early November 1569 under the leadership of the Earls of Westmoreland and Northumberland. They raised an army and captured Durham with York as their next objective. They planned to advance as far south as they could and launch a raid against Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire where Mary Stuart was being held and release her. As it turned out they failed to recruit as many followers as they wished and upon hearing of a large Royal army marching north they abandoned an attack on York and turned north. Mary had by then been moved further south to Coventry, so no attempt was made to rescue her. By mid December the leaders had scattered leaving Lord Dacre to fight it out in February 1570. He was defeated and the Northern Revolt was over.
Mark