The participants of the Pilgrimage of Grace and their opposition were mainly concerned with religious changes and

how they affected the economy, the role of the king, and possible revolution. The closing of monasteries would have far reaching economic consequences. Many others debated on whether these pilgrimages were an opposition of the King, and treason, or simple support to the Catholic Church. Several people were also conflicted about the prospect of revolution brought on by the pilgrimage. Confliction about numerous ideas ended in the deaths of many clerical, noble, and commoner deaths. The closing of monasteries caused outrage from monks, nobles, and even the Kings Council. Members of the Kings own council gave him a petition requesting that he go back the Catholic Church, abolish what they deemed as heresies, and return the monasteries to the Church (Doc 5). Robert Aske, a noble, testified that the monasteries which had once provided charity and support to local bridges, walls, and dikes (Doc 11). The monks who lost their homes also began to sing a song bemoaning the unfairness of their loss (Doc 4). This account is not very reliable, however, as the monks were the ones who were hindered by the loss of the monasteries and would gain if they were returned. Numerous Catholics were upset by the sequestering

of monasteries which may have driven some to go on the pilgrimage. The Kings role as head of state and church also brought on conflict. The York marchers proclaimed that they protested to support the King and his heirs during the march (Doc 1). Richard Morrison, a writer, stated that the pilgrims must go back to the Kings rule or anarchy would result (Doc 7). However, his testimony is unreliable as he was hired by Cromwell and would profit from supporting the King and his friends. Nicholas Leche, a Catholic priest, said that the pilgrims were unaware they might be committing treason, and actively protested in the name of the King believing their cause to be in his best interest. (Doc 8). In fact, and anonymous pamphlet called for the exile of Thomas Cromwell, implying that the movement was against Cromwell rather than King Henry (Doc 6). This testimony was also likely unreliable, as the priest was imprisoned at the time and trying to save his life in any way possible. King Henry VIII proclaimed that the actions of the pilgrims were based on ignorance and not treason, allowing them pardon (Doc 10). This point too is likely unreliable, as the King had reason to give the appearance that his people were united in support of him. Many different opinions sprouted as too whether the King was being defied, but everyone involved had an ulterior motive in what they said.

The possibility of revolution was a serious concern of the pilgrims and their opposition. When they marched, pilgrims in York stressed their support of the King, and therefore their lack or desire to rebel, but the people in power saw things differently. Richard Morrison wrote that order was necessary for the commonwealth (Doc 7). King Henry VIII claimed that the London marchers had been treasonous, but granted them pardon saying they had acted due to ignorance (Doc 9). Despite his pardon of the Londoners, King Henry had 223 people tried, and 144 people convicted of treason for participating in the Pilgrimage of Grace (Doc 10). While the participants Pilgrimage of the Grace claimed to be acting lawfully, the King and his regime believed differently. The Pilgrimage of Grace resulted in many oppositional beliefs on the motives of the participants. Many people thought that the monasteries should be returned to the Church. The pilgrims in general said they supported the King, but the opposition claimed that the pilgrims wanted treason against the King and revolution. In the end, numerous people were put to death, and England remained independent of the Catholic Church.