John Scrope, 8th Baron Scrope of Bolton facts for kids

John Scrope, 8th Baron Scrope of Bolton (born around 1510 – died June 22, 1549) was an important English nobleman. He was the son of Henry Scrope, 7th Baron Scrope of Bolton and Mabel Dacre. A "Baron" was a title given to a powerful lord who owned a lot of land and had a special place in the King's council.

Who Was John Scrope?

John Scrope was a significant figure in England during the time of King Henry VIII. He inherited the title of Baron Scrope of Bolton from his father. This meant he was a lord with responsibilities and influence in his region.

Family Life

Around 1530, John Scrope married Catherine Clifford. She was the daughter of Henry Clifford, who was the 1st Earl of Cumberland. They got married in Skipton, a town in Yorkshire.

John and Catherine had a large family with 11 children. Their oldest child, Henry Scrope, 9th Baron Scrope of Bolton, later became the next Baron. The family lived in their main home, Bolton Castle, which is located in a beautiful area called Wensleydale in Yorkshire.

The Pilgrimage of Grace Uprising

In 1536, John Scrope faced a difficult situation. He was pressured to support a major event called the Pilgrimage of Grace. This was a large protest by many people in Yorkshire. They were unhappy with the changes King Henry VIII was making to the church and the country.

Why People Were Unhappy

The main reasons for the protest were:

• King Henry VIII had decided to break away from the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church.
• He also started closing down monasteries, which were religious communities. This was known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
• People were also upset about the policies of the King's chief minister, Thomas Cromwell.
• There were other problems too, like social and economic issues that made people feel unfairly treated.

A Difficult Choice at Bolton Castle

During the Pilgrimage of Grace, John Scrope found himself in a tough spot. A religious leader named Adam Sedbar, Abbot of Jervaulx was trying to escape from the King's officials. These officials were sent to find and arrest the leaders of the protest.

John Scrope felt he had to offer a safe place for the Abbot at Bolton Castle. However, when the King's officials arrived at the castle, John Scrope quickly left to join his father-in-law at Skipton Castle. The Abbot was found and taken away by the officials.

What Happened Next?

Before leaving Bolton Castle, the King's officials set fire to parts of it. However, because John Scrope had been forced into helping the Abbot, the King understood his situation. He was forgiven and allowed to fix his home. He could also return to his important role in Parliament, which was the country's law-making body.