Pardon

The statute also included provision for offenders to apply to the king for a pardon. A pardon was royal forgiveness of an offence, rather than a finding that no offence had occurred. This underlined the king’s position as a source of justice and mercy.

Norfolk negotiated with the rebel leaders and conveyed royal promises that their grievances would be addressed and that they would receive pardons.

Henry offered a general pardon and promised a Parliament at York to consider their grievances. Trusting these assurances, the rebels dispersed. Negotiation achieved what an immediate military confrontation might not have done: it broke up their concentrated strength.