Discuss the response of the gentry to the Amicable Grant and the Lincolnshire Rising.

The gentry's response to the Amicable Grant and the Lincolnshire Rising was largely one of resistance and opposition.

The Amicable Grant of 1525 was a non-parliamentary tax proposed by Henry VIII to fund his war with France. The gentry, who were expected to collect this tax from their tenants, were largely opposed to it. This was primarily because the tax was seen as an overreach of the king's power, as it was levied without the consent of Parliament. Furthermore, the gentry were already burdened with the collection of other taxes and the Grant was seen as an additional, unfair burden. The resistance was so strong that it led to the Amicable Grant Revolt, where the gentry and their tenants in Essex and Suffolk refused to pay and took up arms. The king was forced to back down and pardon the rebels, demonstrating the power of the gentry's opposition.

The Lincolnshire Rising of 1536 was a rebellion against Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries and his religious reforms. The gentry's response to this was mixed. Some gentry, particularly those in the North and the West, were sympathetic to the rebels' cause. They were unhappy with the king's religious changes and the dissolution of the monasteries, which were often the centre of local communities and provided charity for the poor. These gentry often provided tacit support to the rebels, although they were careful not to openly defy the king.

However, other gentry, particularly those in the South and the East, were more supportive of the king. They saw the dissolution of the monasteries as an opportunity to acquire church lands and increase their wealth. These gentry were often instrumental in suppressing the rebellion, providing troops and resources to the king's forces.

In conclusion, the gentry's response to the Amicable Grant and the Lincolnshire Rising was largely one of resistance and opposition. However, this response was not uniform and varied depending on the issue at hand and the geographical location of the gentry. This highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of the gentry's political and social attitudes in the 16th century.