The arrest of the leaders of the "Pilgrimage of Grace" was followed by ruthless severities.

The country was covered with gibbets.
Whole districts were given up to military execution.

But it was on the leaders of the rising that Cromwell's hand fell heaviest.

He seized his opportunity for dealing at the northern nobles a fatal blow.

"Cromwell," one of the chief among them broke fiercely out as he stood at the Council board, "it is thou that art the very special and chief cause of all this rebellion and wickedness, and dost daily travail to bring us to our ends and strike off our heads.