There could no longer be any doubt, that the object of the insurrection was to crush the Reformation. The names of most of the reformers were mentioned in the articles, and fire or sword were to do justice to the most illustrious of their adherents. The same evening they handed in a letter addressed: _To the King's Royal Highness. From Doncaster, this Saturday, at eleven of the clock at night. Haste, post, haste, haste, haste!_[439] The rebels themselves were in such haste that they waited no longer. The next day (29th of October) the king's lieutenant announced at one in the afternoon, that the insurgents had dispersed and were returning to their homes.[440] Two of the rebel leaders were to carry the stipulated conditions to the king, and Norfolk was to accompany them. That zealous catholic was not perhaps without a hope that the petition would induce Henry to become reconciled to the pope. He was greatly deceived. Thus God had scattered the forces of those who had stood up against Wicliff, Huss, and Luther. The kingdom resumed its usual tranquillity. A little later the men of the North, excited by the intrigues of the pope and Reginald Pole, then a cardinal, again took up arms; but they were defeated; seventy of them were hanged on the walls of Carlisle, and Lords Darcy and Hussey, with many barons, abbots, priors, and a great number of priests, were executed in different places. The scheming archbishop of York alone escaped, it is not known how. The cottages, parsonages, and castles of the North were filled with anguish and terror. Henry, who cut off the heads of his most intimate friends and of his queen, did not think of sparing rebels. It was a terrible lesson, but not very effectual. The priests did not lose their courage; they still kept asking for the re-establishment of the pope, the death of the Lutherans, and the annihilation of the Reform. An event which occurred at this time seemed likely to favor their desires. A great blow was about to be dealt against the Reformation. But the ways of God are not as our ways, and from what seems destined to compromise His cause, He often makes His triumph proceed. [417] 'That he should lack no help.'—_State Papers_, i. p. 558. [418] _State Papers_, i. p. 462, note. [419] Wilkins, _Concilia_, iii. p. 812. [420] _State Papers_, i. p. 462. [421] The _State Papers_ contain several documents relating to this insurrection (vol. i. pp. 462-534). Others are in the _Chapter House_. [422] 'Counsellors of mean birth'—particularly Cromwell.—Herbert, p. 474. [423] 'They might accept his grace to be Supreme Head of the Church.'—_Ibid._ [424] _State Papers_, i. pp. 462, 471. [425] 'Certain abbots moved to insurrection.'—Coverdale, _Remains_, p. 329. [426] Bale, _Works_, p. 327. Bale was Archbishop of York in 1553. [427] Latimer, _Sermons_, i. p. 476.