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REBELLION OF I569. 343
surgents took possession of Hartlepool, the main
body marching into Yorkshire. They advanced as
far as Clifford Moor, near VVetherby, and issued proclamations,
setting forth the objects they had in view,
namely, the restoration of the old religion and the
removal of the evil counsellors by whom the queen
was surrounded, professing at the same time loyalty
and devotion to her majesty's person. Amongst the
Yorkshire gentry who joined them, the most important
was Richard Norton, of Norton Conyers, a man of
ancient lineage, and one who had occupied many prominent
positions. He was old, but he entered into
their plans with all the ardour of youth. A devoted
attachment to the ancient faith, and strong personal
regard for the Earl of Northumberland, were the
chief motives which impelled him to join the insurgents.
Eight gallant sons followed him. Camden
describes him as " an old gentleman, with a reverend
grey head, bearing a cross with a streamer."
" The Nortons aiicyent had the cross,
And the five wounds our Lord did beare.
A like banner had waved over the heads of those
who took part in the "Pilgrimage of Grace," in which
Norton himself and some of the older insurgents
had very possibly been engaged. Northumberland's
father had perished in it. He himself had been
restored in blood and to the earldom by Queen
Mary. But he was not deterred by his father's fate
from engaging in a similar enterprise.
The Earl of Sussex, meanwhile, was advancing
with 3,000 men to meet the rebels, followed by the