rose only in defence of their religion: Hence this insurrection was termed "The pilgrimage of grace." Commissions were immediately issued to several noblemen, commanding them to levy troops for the king; whilst Henry used every other exertion to assemble the greatest force possible. In the interim, Aske made himself master of Pontefract castle, York, and Hull; and exerted all his influence to gain the assistance of the nobles, and other leading men in the county. The duke of Norfolk took up his quarters at Doncaster, with 5000 men, to which place the rebels advanced; but were prevented crossing the Don, in consequence of a great fall of rain, that caused the river to overflow it's banks. A proclamation of pardon was then issued, by the king, to those who would disperse; which being generally accepted, the principal insurgents were secured, and executed at Tyburn and Hull. Robert Aske, esq. the most active of them, was however suspended above Clifford's Tower, in York. The spirit of insurrection having much subsided in 1541, Henry paid a visit to the northern parts of his dominions, to receive their submission in person. As he passed through Lincolnshire, the obligation conferred by his pardon, was acknowledged by several towns, accompanied by a present of money from each. On his entrance into Yorkshire, he was received by two hundred gentlemen, attended by four thousand yeoman and servants; who, by the medium of Sir Robert Bowes, made humble submission, and presented the king with £900. On Barnsdale, Henry was met by the archbishop of York, and three hundred of his clergy; who also made great submission to the king, and presented him with £600. At the city he was received with great magnificence, by the lord mayor, who presented him with £100. The mayors of Newcastle and Hull, who had come here to meet his majesty, each presented him with the like sum. It appears that Henry expected to have an interview with the king of Scotland, at this time, in order to settle a lasting peace; but the Scotch nobility and clergy, doubting his sincerity, opposed the measure, and thereby disappointed the English sovereign. He stayed only twelve days in York, during which time, he established a president and council in the city, under the great seal of Oyer and Terminer, which continued till the reign of Charles the first. The same year, Sir John Neville, knight, and ten other persons were taken in rebellion, and executed at York. This city suffered much by the suppression of religious houses, in Henry's reign. Previous to that event, York, besides the cathedral church, contained also forty-one parish churches, seventeen chapels, sixteen hospitals, nine religious houses, and the venerable ABBEY OF ST. MARY, whose ruins are yet greatly admired. Not only this abbey, but monasteries, hospitals, chapels, priories, and even eighteen of the parish churches were involved in the general destruction; and so prevalent was the spirit of plunder, and so unrestrained, that even the graves and vaults of the deceased were savagely torn open in search of treasure, Stone coffins were likewise emptied of the mouldering remains of mortality, and used as troughs in the ordinary occupations of life. The number of indigent individuals, was also greatly increased by many sick and old people, priests, nuns, &c. being thus deprived of their dwellings. Drake says, "This reformation went so far here, as almost to put a stop to all religion." Even trade and merchandize suffered so ex |