Wyatt's rebellion
On the 16th of November 1553, a Parliamentary delegation approached Queen Mary I to formally request she choose an English husband. The obvious candidate was Edward Courtenay, recently created Earl of Devon. Yet Mary had already decided to marry Philip II of Spain, the son of Emperor Charles V. A marriage treaty presented to the Privy Council on the 7th of December 1553 included safeguards for England, but many feared the nation would become a mere province of the Habsburg Empire. Landed gentry and parliamentary classes worried they would have to pay greater subsidies to cover foreign wars. Stories of torture by the Spanish Inquisition circulated widely among the population. Some citizens had personally suffered from the rack of inquisitors themselves.
Religious fears ran deep alongside political anxieties. Mary I was known as devoted to the Roman Catholic faith. She bitterly disapproved of changes made to worship forms under Henry VIII. When her half-brother Edward VI's parliament passed an Act of Uniformity requiring church services in English, Mary continued having traditional Latin mass celebrated in her private chapel. Even when this was expressly forbidden, she appealed to Charles, who threatened war if Mary's religion was interfered with. On the 18th of August 1553, she issued a proclamation strictly forbidding Protestant preaching. This confirmed fears of Protestants and raised concerns among others opposed to Rome. They did not want to see the pope at the head of the English church again. The pending marriage to Philip, considered the most powerful sovereign in Europe, heightened these fears significantly.
Thomas Wyatt owned large areas of land in Kent and held great influence there. He initially supported Mary but declared against her marriage to Philip, saying it would lead to "most miserable servitude" and establish popish religion. Wyatt cautioned against using religion as the rebellion reason because that would withdraw hearts from many. He told his friends the sole goal was preventing overrun by strangers. Wyatt had been described as hot-headed with a reputation for being wild and impetuous. He once spent a month in the Tower of London for participating in a street riot in London.
Sir James Croft came from an influential Herefordshire family. Unlike Wyatt, he made no strong statements regarding Mary's marriage to Philip, so his motivation remained unclear. He was not particularly strong in religious beliefs but probably favored Protestantism. While serving as Lord Deputy of Ireland in 1551 and 1552, he imposed the Anglican Prayer Book in the Irish Church. His military career likely informed his decision to participate. Sir Peter Carew was a maritime adventurer who served as MP for Devon. A contemporary biographer called him an earnest promoter of God's true religion. The Spanish ambassador reported Carew was the greatest heretic and rebel in England. Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk, was based partly in Leicestershire and professed himself an hearty Friend unto the Gospel until his death.
Around the 26th of November 1553, a different plan began evolving among Wyatt, Croft, Carew, and Suffolk. The first idea involved an uprising in Devonshire where Philip was expected to land. By Christmas of 1553, leaders decided each would raise rebellion forces in their respective counties. They planned to converge on London on the 18th of March 1554, shortly before Philip was expected to leave from Spain. Their goal was replacing Mary with her half-sister Elizabeth, who would then marry Courtenay. Meanwhile, a fleet of French ships would prevent Philip of Spain from reaching England.
A number of historians named William Thomas as the original leader of the rebellion. His initial plan involved assassinating Mary by John FitzWilliams. Wyatt ended up learning of this plot and set out to beat FitzWilliams. Several historians mention a voice in the wall connected to the rebellion. This involved a young girl, Elizabeth Croft, hidden in the wall of a house in London pretending to be a spirit. She denounced Mary and Philip, Catholic mass, and confession. She was ultimately discovered and confessed to her role. It does not appear that Elizabeth was related to Sir James Croft.
Wyatt started the uprising on the 25th of January 1554 by raising his standard at Maidstone. Church bells rang and proclamations were read saying Mary's marriage to Philip would bring most miserable servitude. Setting headquarters at Rochester, Wyatt gained about 2,000 men by the 27th of January. On the 28th of January, a rebel force of about 500 heading to Rochester met supporters of Mary led by Lord Abergavenny and Sir Robert Southwell. The rebel forces were routed, leaving behind 60 prisoners. About the same time, a force of 500 Whitecoats sent from London under the elderly Duke of Norfolk deserted to the rebels.
The Whitecoats shouted "We are all Englishmen" as they came down the hill to Rochester. Wyatt had seized some of Mary's ships waiting to escort Philip and some cannon. With the addition of the Whitecoats, his forces grew to about 3,000. Three days later, insurgents were on the road to London when met by delegates sent by Mary. They told Wyatt that Mary wanted to understand the cause of rebellion, which made him appear a traitor since he called himself true to the Crown in proclamations. Wyatt agreed to come to her but demanded control of Tower of London with Mary inside it. He stated "I wyll rather be trusted than trust." Wyatt arrived at Southwark on the 2nd of February intending to cross River Thames via London Bridge.
The end of rebellion began on the 5th of February 1554 with deciphering an intercepted letter from Noailles to King Henry II of France. It identified rebellion purpose as dethroning Mary in favor of Elizabeth. Two days later, a proclamation forbade sheltering any insurgent under pain of death. Hundreds of fugitives surrendered so many prisons could not hold them all. Churches housed prisoners while they awaited hanging, quartering, or both. A general execution of common prisoners began on the 12th of February 1554 with gallows erected all over London. For weeks, prisoners were tried daily with hanging often followed by beheading and quartering.
Out of some 3,000 captured insurgents, only about 150 were executed. Rest received few days in prison before being freed on the 20th of January 1555 at Philip's request. Lady Jane Grey and husband Lord Guildford Dudley were also executed despite having no part in rebellion. Wyatt's trial was delayed from his the 7th of February surrender until the 15th of March. He pleaded guilty to treason but asserted he never intended harm to Mary. He offered great discoveries if spared life, claiming Courtenay originated rebellion planned for Courtenay benefit. Wyatt accused Elizabeth of involvement. His sentence carried out on the 11th of April 1554 without providing significance to incriminate Elizabeth. Before hanged, he avowed neither Elizabeth nor Courtenay involved.
Mary summoned Elizabeth to come to London on the 26th of January 1554 under guise of keeping her from harm. Intent was arresting Elizabeth upon arrival. Elizabeth declined saying too ill to travel. On the 23rd of February, Elizabeth arrived in London after physicians determined illness need not prevent traveling. She traveled in stages of not more than eight miles a day. Elizabeth arrived pale and dressed in white with proud haughty expression. Mary refused to see Elizabeth, putting her in secluded palace part where guards prevented passage.
Council divided regarding Elizabeth with many members supportive. Bitter arguments ensued over her fate. On the 16th of March, Elizabeth examined again when Council against her claimed evidence sufficient sending her to Tower. Fearing Tower meant death, Elizabeth made written appeal swearing innocence and loyalty to Mary. Mary did not answer. On the 18th of March, Palm Sunday, Elizabeth imprisoned in Tower. A few days later she examined again while Croft present since questioning concerned intercepted letter from him recommending move to different property. Elizabeth protested continued attempts linking her to insurgents. As Croft led away, he knelt before Elizabeth expressing sadness being thought witness against her. He denied any attempt involving Elizabeth in rebellion on pain of death.
Despite limited immediate impact, Wyatt's Rebellion had lasting effects. Many including adversaries sympathetic to his daring and gallantry. At time of execution, people crowded to dip handkerchiefs in his blood. His legend quickly established itself. Many began viewing Wyatt as martyr. Those disliking Mary's marriage regarded Wyatt and followers as patriots not heretics. Christopher Goodman wrote: "If it is treason to defend Gospel and country from cruel strangers and enemies, then was Wyatt traitor and rebel." He continued arguing if this duty, all professed Christ among them were traitors deceiving him.
Wyatt's estate forfeited with most distributed among active suppressors. Charles V reluctant giving pensions to key supporters due amounts but many recipients old so payments would not last long. He agreed to them. Charles believed alliance between England and Spain would fail if Elizabeth remained alive. Renard concluded Mary too lenient making unsafe for Philip in England. Throckmorton acquitted despite one-sided trials where normal evidence rules ignored. Jury verdict Not guilty encouraged foreman answering agreeably to all consciences. Jurors arrested kept prison until winter released by payment exorbitant fine. After Mary's death, Throckmorton served Elizabeth as ambassador to France and Scotland.
Common questions
What was the main cause of Wyatt's rebellion in 1554?
Wyatt's rebellion started because people feared Mary I would marry Philip II of Spain and turn England into a province of the Habsburg Empire. The population worried about foreign wars, higher subsidies, and the return of the Spanish Inquisition.
Who were the key leaders involved in Wyatt's rebellion?
Thomas Wyatt led the uprising from Kent while Sir James Croft, Sir Peter Carew, and Henry Grey Duke of Suffolk planned to raise forces in their respective counties. Historians also name William Thomas as an original leader who initially plotted to assassinate Mary.
When did Wyatt's rebellion begin and end?
Wyatt started the uprising on the 25th of January 1554 by raising his standard at Maidstone. The rebellion effectively ended on the 5th of February 1554 when intercepted letters revealed the goal to dethrone Mary, leading to mass surrenders and executions.
Where did Wyatt's rebellion take place during 1554?
The rebellion began in Kent with Wyatt raising his standard at Maidstone and setting headquarters at Rochester. Forces marched toward London where insurgents met royal delegates near Southwark before being routed or surrendering.
What happened to Elizabeth after Wyatt's rebellion failed?
Mary summoned Elizabeth to London on the 26th of January 1554 but imprisoned her in the Tower on the 18th of March due to evidence linking her to the rebels. She remained confined until Throckmorton was acquitted and political pressure eased following Philip's request for leniency.
How many people were executed after Wyatt's rebellion concluded?
Out of some 3,000 captured insurgents only about 150 were executed while others received prison time before release. Lady Jane Grey and Lord Guildford Dudley were also executed despite having no part in the rebellion.