To what extent was the Pilgrimage of Grace only a religious rising?.
The Pilgrimage of Grace appeared at face value, to be an entirely religious revolt and many historians agree with this finding although there are many other aspects of life affecting the rebels that may have provoked a rebellion and there are others who believe that the religious side to the Pilgrimage of Grace was only to 'deceive the simple and ignorant.' The Pilgrimage not only immediately gave the concept of it being a religious revolt with the naming of the rebellion 'pilgrim: Person who journeys to a holy place' but also used religious symbols and artefacts to enhance and out forward the statement that the revolt was one of religious conflict. The differing opinions on the actual extent to which religious unrest played in the pilgrimage are extensive and many have a more balanced opinion that there were many grievances which played a role but it was religion which took the part as catalyst.
The pilgrimage began in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire progressing to include a large proportion of northern England, took place in October, November and December of 1536.Many thought the rebellion to be inevitable as the northern parts of England had never been a settled place. The north resented Cromwell and the increasing governmental roles in communities which held strong to tradition. .
Enclosure of land was a starting element to the unrest as many feared that this would decrease their land that they relied on for their livelihood, this, with the increase of rent created an underlying tension amongst the people. These socially economic causes were important and crucial parts of people everyday lives which were being changed. Rumours circulated around towns and villages which stirred up man y opponents towards Cromwell's and the governments interference into matters which apparently were best left alone.