Francis Bigod facts for kids

Sir Francis Bigod (born October 4, 1507 – died June 2, 1537) was an English nobleman. He is best known for leading a rebellion against King Henry VIII. His name is sometimes spelled Bigot, Bygod, Bygott, or Bygate.

His Family Background

Francis Bigod came from important families. His ancestors included the Bigod Earls of Norfolk and the Barons Mauley. These families lived near Whitby in Yorkshire, England. Francis was born on October 4, 1507, at Seaton Manor in Hinderwell, Yorkshire.

He was the oldest son of Sir John Bigod and Joan Strangways. In 1513, his father was killed fighting the Scots, possibly at the Battle of Flodden. Two years later, in 1515, his grandfather, Sir Ralph Bigod, also died. This meant that Francis, at just seven years old, became the main heir to his family's lands and titles. After his father's death, his mother, Joan, married Sir William Maleverer.

Early Life and Work

When Francis was young, a powerful church leader named Cardinal Thomas Wolsey became his guardian in 1515. Francis might have grown up living in Wolsey's home. He went to Oxford University. Even though he didn't finish his degree, he was very smart and loved to learn. His letters show how much he studied.

By 1527, Francis was working for Cardinal Wolsey. He officially became an adult in 1529 and was soon made a knight. It is thought that Wolsey helped arrange Francis's marriage to Katherine Conyers. She was the daughter of William Conyers, 1st Baron Conyers.

Religious Beliefs

As a young man, Francis became a strong Protestant. He was very interested in religious studies. He listened to many sermons and wrote letters to other religious reformers. At one point, he even thought about becoming a priest.

Later, he worked for Thomas Cromwell, who took over from Wolsey. Francis helped King Henry VIII make changes to the church in Yorkshire. However, Francis wanted to fix the monasteries, not close them down. He even tried to reform some of them himself. He also helped create a survey of church wealth called the Valor Ecclesiasticus.

From 1533 to 1536, Francis wrote a book. In this book, he argued that money from church taxes should go to support preachers, not monasteries. He also served as a Justice of the Peace starting in 1532. He was a Member of Parliament in 1529 and 1536.

The Rebellion

Francis Bigod was initially against the Catholic uprising in 1535, known as the Pilgrimage of Grace. He was a strong Protestant. He even tried to escape by sea from Mulgrave Castle. But his ship had to land at Hartlepool, where he almost got attacked by angry common people. He went back to Mulgrave, was captured, and for a short time, unwillingly joined the uprising.

However, Francis soon realized that his own disagreements with the King's control over religion were similar to those of the Pilgrimage of Grace rebels. The Pilgrimage of Grace, led by Robert Aske, ended in December 1536. The King offered pardons, and the rebels went home. But Francis feared the King would punish them later.

So, on January 16, 1537, Francis started his own rebellion. He worked with his tenant, John Hallam. He tried to get people to support his ideas, but very few nobles or common people joined him. His plan to have George Lumley capture Scarborough Castle failed completely. Francis's own attack on Kingston upon Hull on January 19 was stopped. Most of his group was captured in a surprise raid at Beverley, Yorkshire.

Francis escaped to Mulgrave, then to Cumberland. He was captured there on February 10 and sent to Carlisle Castle. He was found guilty of treason (going against the King). Francis Bigod was hanged at Tyburn in London on June 2, 1537. He was buried at the Greyfriars in London.

Francis Bigod's rebellion gave King Henry VIII a reason to punish many people who had been involved in the earlier 1536 revolt.

His Family After the Rebellion

Francis and his wife, Katherine, had a son named Ralph and a daughter named Dorothy. Ralph was allowed to inherit his family's titles again in 1549. However, he died without having any children. So, his sister Dorothy became the heir. Through her marriage, the family's lands went to the Radcliffe family.

Writings and Interests

People who knew Francis Bigod said he was wise and well-educated. One writer described him as "a man of natural splendor, noble and educated and a lover of evangelical truth."

Many of his letters to Thomas Cromwell are still kept today. These letters show that Francis was deeply in debt. He wrote a book about church money called Treatise Concernyng Impropriations of Benefices. This book argued against monasteries taking money that should go to local churches. He also translated some Latin books. During his rebellion, he wrote against the King's power over the church.

Francis Bigod owned two homes in Yorkshire: Settrington and Mulgrave Castle.