Littleton seems to have been a religious conservative , opposing the initial break with the Papacy . His main associates , like the Giffards , had similar attitudes . However , none of them opposed changes that benefited the landed gentry , particularly the dissolution of the monasteries . Unlike the northern gentry , who led the Pilgrimage of Grace , a large and threatening rebellion against the dissolution , the Staffordshire gentry , not least Littleton , clamoured to buy newly-marketable land and houses . However , the theological conservatism remained , with a strong attachment to traditional Catholic dogma . This fitted well with Henry VIII 's own attitudes but Littleton still managed to turn it to his own disadvantage
Pilgrimage of Grace
Pilgrimage of Grace
Edward Littleton (died 1558)