To what extent were religious reasons the main cause of Tudor Rebellion in England in the context of years 1485-1603?

Society’s collective memory of the Tudors focuses more on each monarch’s personal endeavours rather than the intricate workings of their rule, failing to highlight the rebellions that littered the entire Tudor dynasty. The causes for such unrest have been identified as religious, dynastic or socio-economic grievances. Rising taxation and frequent failed harvests, combined with religious tensions, caused many to rebel. Each factor will be explored as a cause for unrest during the period, before focusing on individual rebellions connected to the theme. Religious reasons will not be argued as the main cause of Tudor rebellion in England in the context of the years 1485-1603 and instead socio-economic grievances will be put forward. Although the other factors are important, the true cause of Tudor revolts can virtually always be perceived as socio-economic grievances masking themselves as other issues as a way to gain support.The 1536 Pilgrimage of Grace lasted two months and consisted of rebels from all social groups under Robert Aske’s guidance. Many view it as a reaction against religious disturbances, in particular Henry becoming the Head of the Church. It should instead be seen as a revolt against the economic impact of the dissolution of the monasteries. Monasteries played a pivotal role in the local economy, providing help and charity for those suffering economic hardships as well as employment on monastic estates; their societal benefit must be remembered when considering factors which catalysed rebellion. This can be verified by examining the Pilgrims Ballad. Composed by the monks of Sawley Abbey, it was circulated across the North to garner support for the Pilgrimage. The Ballad contains sixteen verses expressing the theme of the Church being in danger, as well as highlighting the material needs of the commons. The second stanza states “Alacke! For the church sake”, expressing how the rebel’s actions are for the church; a way to preserve their religious way of life.[1]   The wording highlights the sense of “decay” the rebels feel have befallen churches and the Catholic religion, combined with the rebellions timing being so close to the break from Rome, expresses the idea that the Pilgrimage of Grace was caused by religious factors. However, examining the ballad further reveals the people’s economic grievances. Stanza six states the church provided “boith ale and breyde at tyme of need” highlighting societal worry about the socio-economic impact of the dissolution, not the religious, as it expresses their worry about where the needy would now turn for help.[2]This is seen elsewhere in the ballad such as “For clere it is The decay of this How the pore shall mys No tong can tell”.[3]The monks argue that due to the decaying church, there is no telling its impact on the poor. Socio-economic factors are motioned after those seen as religious, insinuating rebels masked their intensions behind religious themes in an attempt to gain support, highlighting how the ballad worked as propaganda.  The claims made were not necessarily a reflection of the circumstances in the northwest in 1536 hence the ballads contents cannot be taken at face value, resulting in the economic motivations becoming the more probable cause for rebellion when examining the source. [1]Pilgrims Ballad[2]Pilgrims Ballad [3]IBID