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Robert Aske

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Robert Aske as played by Gerard McSorley

born c. 1500 - executed July 27, 1537 by order of King Henry VIII

Character's backstory: Born in Yorkshire, but became a lawyer in London. In autumn of 1536 Aske led "The Pilgrimage of the Grace" an uprising of approximately 40,000 Catholics in Yorkshire to defend the religious houses that were being closed and property seized by the king. The rebel army was joined by priests carrying crosses and banners. Leading nobles in the area also began to give their support to the rebellion. The rebels marched to York and demanded that the monasteries should be reopened. On October 16th the insurgents captured York and on the 20th took Pontefract Castle.
The insurgents surrendered to Thomas Howard. 3rd Duke of Norfolk, before they could attempt to overtake Hull and Carlisle. Although the insurgence were superior to the king's forces in size, Aske agreed to accept the King's Pardon and a parliament at York in return for the insurgence to be disbanded. Aske was received by the king in London and treated well. But the story does not end there. A few months later another Yorkshire landowner, Sir Francis Bigod, led a fresh uprising at Beverley. Although Aske and other leaders of the original Pilgrimage of Grace tried to defuse Bigod's revolt, they were held responsible.
Aske and his friends were arrested & tried for treason in London. Robert Aske was hanged in chains until dead on Clifford Tower in York on July 27, 1537 as a warning to other rebels. The entire north of the country was placed under martial law and roughly 250 people were hanged, many on the merest suspicion of sedition.This included Lady Bulmer who was burnt at the stake & Abbots of the four largest monasteries in the north.

The vigorous repression of the Pilgrimage of Grace and its aftermath effectively ended any popular resistance to Henry's religious policies, and the Dissolution of the Monasteries proceeded without further serious difficulty.

Gentility: son of a knighted courtier, descended from a powerful Yorkshire family

Position: lawyer who became "chief captain" of the insurgency

Personality type: Charismatic, skilled orator & a devout Catholic

Signature look:

Endearing trait(s): Great organizational skills

Annoying trait(s):
Sample Character Profile - Site Templates
Robert Aske - The Tudors Wiki

Banner of the Pilgrimage of Grace
with the five wounds of Christ

CHARACTER CONNECTIONS


Family members:
Father: Sir Robert Aske
Cousin: Henry Clifford, Earl of Cumberland

Romance(s):


Friends:
Lord Darcy
Henry Lee, Archbishop of York


Enemies:
Thomas Cromwell
Charles Brandon
Thomas Howard, the Duke of Norfolk

Links:



Books:


UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTER QUOTES











DEFINING EPISODES | MEMORABLE SCENES










PHOTOS
How to add pictures

Caption

Robert Aske - The Tudors Wiki
Picture depicting the Pilgrimage of Grace
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Caption

Robert Aske - The Tudors Wiki
Statue of Robert Aske at Hatcham




Pontefract Castle
In the Middle Ages, Pontefract Castle (aerial view) was one of the most important fortresses in the country.
It became a royal castle in 1399, upon the accession of Henry Bolinbroke to the throne. Richard II subsequently died in the castle the following year after being one of many important prisoners to lodge there. During the English Civil War it was held by the King's supporters throughout three sieges, but as a result, after 1649, it was largely demolished.
The remains of the castle, and the underground magazine chamber, are open to visitors.
Clifford tower
Clifford Tower, York Castle where Aske was executed & hung in chains for all potential rebels to see






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