The Exeter Conspiracy
Chapter 9 : Why were the Poles and Exeter Targeted?
Scholars have differed over whether there was a real threat to Henry VIII or not. The much-respected G R Elton certainly believed that the Poles and Exeter had intent to plot, even if they hadn't actually got anything off the ground.
Reginald Pole believed, or purported to believe, that his family were murdered by the King for their adherence to the Catholic faith.
The Pole and Courtenay family estates were largely concentrated in the Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Hampshire – any invasion was likely to land along that coast and the risk of succour being given to the enemy was too great to take.
Another theory is that the Poles were being punished for Reginald Pole's activities abroad and certainly, if Reginald had not written De Unitate and not attempted to provoke an invasion, then Geoffrey would not have been committing treason by corresponding with him or trying to join him. However, this does not seem to account entirely for the charges against Exeter, Nevill and Carew.
Reginald Pole believed, or purported to believe, that his family were murdered by the King for their adherence to the Catholic faith.
In all, it may be a fair summary to say that, although there was no hard evidence of an actual plot to overthrow the King, Henry and Cromwell took the opportunity presented to them by treasonous talk and communication with Reginald Pole, to dispatch a group of men who were fundamentally hostile to the religious and political changes of the 1530s and might well have supported a foreign invasion.
The Pole and Courtenay family estates were largely concentrated in the Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Hampshire – any invasion was likely to land along that coast and the risk of succour being given to the enemy was too great to take.
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