Rebellion in Lincolnshire

On Saturday 30 September 1536 Dr Raynes, the Bishop's Chancellor, began his inquisition of the priests at Bolingbroke. This confirmed the fears of locals and cemented their resolution, during what followed, the Lincolnshire Rising, Horncastle and their residents played a pivotal role.

William Leach of Fulletby was deemed instrumental in the uprising, on 2 October he began organising, and pressing, men to meet in the town the next day to protect the church and prevent church goods and valuables from being seized. The following day a crowd of 500 gathered in the churchyard of St Mary's, including people of future note, Sotheby, Trotter and William Bywater. The crowd marched on the gentry to enlist help, support and seek the swearing of loyalty oaths. They also marched to Bolingbroke in order to confront Dr Raynes, who was confined to his sick bed at the time stricken with illness. Raynes paid Trotter 20s to avoid being dragged bodily from his bed and the house, he was, however, forced to swear an oath to the cause.

Wednesday 4 October became the most infamous date in the town's history. A number of draft articles and proposed charters were written up calling for the death of the false traitor Lord Cromwell as well as the Bishops of Canterbury and Lincoln. These were refined slightly and quickly agreed to by all present resulting in Gibson of Keal and John Hawmby being despatched to Bolingbroke to bring Dr Raynes, by force if necessary. He was forcibly placed on a horse and brought to 'a field beside Horn Castle'. Brian Stores, William Hutchinson and William Balderstone pulled Raynes from his horse and 'kneling upon him with their staves slew him' , encouraged by the crowd chanting 'kill him! kill him!'. Brian Stores was later to hang for his part in the murder.
One of Cromwell's servants, Thomas Wolsey, was also hanged and a member of the gentry, Sir Francis Stoner, narrowly avoided the same fate by agreeing to join the rebels.

A host of men, poorly armed , was assembled and began the march to Lincoln to press their cause, gaining considerable support on the way. By the time they reached the city of Lincoln their numbers had swelled to some 30,000.
Negotiations and demands ensued for articles, demands and guarantees to be met by the King. A few days later there was a meeting at the Chapter House at Lincoln Cathedral to hear the King's response. He rejected all demands outright and refused promise of pardon.

They lost heart rapidly and despite efforts to rally the host within days less than a third remained, most deserting for fear of reprisal or simply seeing the hopelessness of the cause. Many returned to their homes though others joined pilgrimages or rode north, the ringleaders were eventually rounded up and justice dispensed swiftly.

There was an inquiry and trial at Lincoln in march 1537, the Abbot and three monks of Kirkstead were found guilty and executed, some actually hanged in Horncastle. The prominent town ringleaders Nicholas Leach, Robert Leach, Philip Trotter, Robert Sotheby, Roger New and Brian Stanes were all tried at Guildhall in London and on the same day 'hanged, drawn and quartered' at Tyburn.

The rebellion was over and Henry VIII had stamped his authority on both the church and Lincolnshire.

© R.D. Collins 2004