 These suppressions , as well as the Dissolution of the Lesser Monasteries Act of 1536 , in turn contributed to more general resistance to Henry 's reforms , most notably in the Pilgrimage of Grace , a large uprising in northern England in October 1536 . Some 20 @,@ 000 to 40 @,@ 000 rebels were led by Robert Aske , together with parts of the northern nobility . Henry VIII promised the rebels he would pardon them and thanked them for raising the issues . Aske told the rebels they had been successful and they could disperse and go home . Henry saw the rebels as traitors and did not feel obliged to keep his promises with them , so when further violence occurred after Henry 's offer of a pardon he was quick to break his promise of clemency . The leaders , including Aske , were arrested and executed for treason . In total , about 200 rebels were executed , and the disturbances ended . 
