The Tudor Society

The Rising of the North 1569

Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland

This day in history, 9th November 1569, is seen as the start of the 1569 Northern Rebellion or Rising of the North, the only major armed rebellion of Elizabeth I's reign.

The rebellion was led by Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland, and Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland, and the idea was to depose Queen Elizabeth I, replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots (who would marry the Duke of Norfolk), and restore the Catholic faith as the faith of England. Although the rebels were successful in occupying Durham (where they took mass in the cathedral), Staindrop, Darlington, Richmond, Ripon and also Barnard Castle, they were finally forced to retreat north. Northumberland and Westmorland fled to Scotland. Their rebellion had been a failure.

Members can read more in Conor Byrne's article on the rebellion - click here.

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The Rising of the North 1569