Why did Henry VIII crush the Pilgrimage of Grace?

The Pilgrimage of Grace was a rebellion against King Henry VIII's religious reforms, which occurred in England and Wales in 1536-1537. The rebellion was sparked by the king's decision to dissolve the monasteries and abbeys, which were seen as essential parts of English society and culture. The rebels also objected to Henry VIII's break with the Roman Catholic Church and his assumption of the title "Supreme Head of the Church of England."

The Pilgrimage of Grace began in Lincolnshire in October 1536, and quickly spread to other parts of England and Wales. The rebels, many of whom were common people, were led by a group of nobles, including Robert Aske. The rebels marched on London, and they were eventually met by Henry VIII at Doncaster in December 1536.

At Doncaster, Henry VIII agreed to meet some of the rebels' demands, including the restoration of some of the monasteries and the repeal of some of the anti-Catholic laws. However, the king was determined to crush the rebellion, and he quickly gathered an army of 40,000 men. In February 1537, Henry VIII's army defeated the rebels at the Battle of Pontefract.

The Pilgrimage of Grace was a major challenge to Henry VIII's authority, and it showed that the king faced significant opposition to his religious reforms. However, Henry VIII was determined to crush the rebellion, and he was eventually successful in doing so.