Sir Robert Constable and the Pilgrimage of Grace

 In the late summer 1536 resistance to the King (Henry VIII) was reputedly started by the sale of a church plate in Lincolnshire. Hostilities broke out between those that opposed Henry’s actions against religious houses and churches, perhaps better known you and I as The Pilgrimage of Grace. The result was England breaking away from the Rome and Catholicism with Henry establishing the Church of England, of which he and successive monarchs would become its head.

The outbreak of hostilities largely took place in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Lincolnshire. Strategically and economically important, Hull was a target for those caught up in this rebellion. The town was besieged on 15 Oct 1536 by the rebels. It wasn’t just Henry actions against the church that led to the Pilgrimage of Grace. Various grievances too were motivating factors. Those from Beverley for example resented Hull’s monopoly in trade and navigation of the river Hull, and saw an opportunity vent their anger at the town. Others rose for political reasons, such as Henry’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon, which for some was a step to far. The Pilgrimage of Grace’s official leader was Robert Aske. Another important leading figure was Sir Robert Constable of Flamborough.

Hull quickly, though somewhat reluctantly yielded to the rebels gathered outside its walls in the October of 1536. Sir Robert Constable took command of Hull, repairing the town walls, requisitioning ships, and using customs money in support of the rebels. By December the rebellion had dispersed and with it the rebels left Hull. Some however remained uneasy with Henry and his treatment of the church and religious houses. Quietly plotting was Francis Bigod and John Hallam, who planned to seize Hull. 

The Beverley Gate, c.1530. It was close by that John Hallam was arrested and it was from here the Sir Robert Constable's was hung in the July 1537

Bigod and Hallam saw the opportunity to suppress royal authority in the East Riding, which meant taking Hull. The corporation got wind of Hallam’s intentions to take the town. After a short scuffle Hallam was arrested close to the Beverley Gate. In the February of 1537, Hallam was hanged at Hull. Sir Robert Constable, involved with the initial uprising in October, initially received a pardon, including the Pilgrimage of Grace’s official leader, Robert Aske. Sir Robert’s days were numbered, however (as too were Robert Aske’s). Refusing later the meet with Henry when summoned, Sir Robert was arrested for treason and sent to Hull. It was at Hull that Sir Robert was executed. His body hung from a gibbet on Hull’s Beverley Gate on market day, as a warning to those that dare challenge royal authority. 

Pardon for the late rebellion (Pilgrimage of Grace) 9 Dec 1536 [Ref: C BRH/6].
Transcription available [Ref: L SRL/T/8]

See Allison’s, Victoria County History, East Riding of Yorkshire, Vol. 1 Kingston upon Hull, pp.91-3 [Ref: L.9.7]; Gillett and MacMahon’s History of Hull, pp.100-1 [Ref: L.9.7]

Neil Chadwick

Librarian/Archivist