Extract showing questions put to the Vicar of Louth, arrested as part of the Lincolnshire Rising against the dissolution of the monasteries which marked the start of the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536. This reveals some insight into the state’s concerns and the information they required (SP1/114 f.73r-73v)
Transcript
1537, Interogatories [questions] for the vicar of Louth
First where and when had ye the first communication of the insurrection in Lincolnshire and with whom, what fashion means and ways devised you to set the said insurrection forward and by whose had comfort or consent.
What was done day by day and by whom
For what causes made ye it & to what intent had which were their sugges [document damaged] and surmises to sture [stir] them [document damaged]…
And who conveyed them through the county from place to place, so shortly [quickly] and by what means
What fashion caused you to cause them to come to set forth & beyond in every place or of so many
By whose study and diligence that was done
Who was the gretyst [greatest] stures [stirrers] faulters [culprits] and promoters thereof from time to time
How come they to gather and how many were they
How were they victualled [fed] and by whose help
Who was their special hayders [unclear] comforters or councillors or helpers when they were [document damaged] there by [document damaged]…
Whose consent or policy used you most to keep you together & what intend you then to do
What caused them to go home after the proclamation and who menyd [persuaded] then them most to tarry [remain] still
How fortuned [fortunate] it that there was so many as well gentlemen as other taken as they pretended against their will and no fray [affray, public disorder] made nor no stroke strykyn [stricken]
Why told you not your parishioners when they assembled first that their rumours and tales was untrue and their pretence and doings contrary to the laws both of God and nature and also of this realm. And contrary to their fidelity and obedience toward their prince commended by good and promised by a virtue of another by then and sent also to anybody[document damaged] man to have told that same to their neighbours
[f. 73v]
What caused you to smite your parishioners of Louth of the backsliding [of] them to go forward lately for they should have goods and riches plenty at London