BattlefieldsNorthern Rising — Brancepath Muster 1569
Tudor

Northern Rising — Brancepath Muster 1569

1569
Durham, England
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Durham, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
royal crown forces
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Northern rebels c.5,400
Outcome
Initial rebel muster at Brancepath assembled 3,800 footmen and 1,600 cavalry; earls committed to rebellion; banner of Five Wounds unfurled; rebel army then marched to Durham and south.
The Battle

History & Significance

The initial rebel muster of the Northern Rising took place at Brancepath Castle, the principal seat of the Neville Earl of Westmorland in County Durham, in November 1569. The Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland unfurled the banner of the Five Wounds of Christ at Brancepath and the great tenants of the northern nobility gathered to their lords. The muster at Brancepath demonstrated the continued feudal power of the northern magnates — but also, crucially, the absence of the great majority of northern gentry who had decided to remain loyal to Elizabeth.

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