Cornish Flashcards
Dates
1497
Evil Advisers
Cornish rebels declared that Reginald Bray and John Morton were Evil Advisers
Taxation
Main cause of rebellion. January 1497 parliament voted for £60,000 to fund war with Scotland.
When news reached rebels in May there was widespread anger as wars with Scotland were traditionally funded by the North of England.
Financial Advisors impact
John Morton (Lord Chancellor) and Reginald Bray (King’s chief financial adviser) were blamed
They had tried to find ways of increasing revenue from the royal estate in the 1490’s
Tax collection
The second tax was not collected and war did not break out.
Government demonstrations
Anti-government demonstrations took place, the rebels only wanted unpopular taxes to be removed
Why was Cornwall significant
Had strong cultural traditions and was geographically isolated from England
Location
Blackheath, this had also been used in 1380 by Wat Tyler and John Ball and in Jack Cade’s rebellion in 1450.
Size of rebellion
15,000 including; 44 parish priests, several abbots, 22 local gentry, 4 sheriffs, 3 MP’s, monks and more
Thousands of rebels deserted by the fourth week to get home in time for the June harvest.
Involvement of the nobility
Rebels looked to Lord Audley an impoverish Somerset peer whose father had once been treasurer for England but was dismissed by Richard III and never trusted by Henry VIII.
Strength
Rebellions needed people who were physically strong. Michael Joseph (a local blacksmith) led rebels into Blackheath in 1497.
What happened to Provost of Penryn
Was murdered in a marketplace, as Penryn was responsible for collecting taxes.
How did Henry deal with rebels?
He expected leading families to deal with the rebels as his attention was with the possible war with Scotland.
Popes involvement
produced Papal Condemnation of Eve of Blackheath. Many rebels surrendered rather than have the eternal risk of eternal damnation.
Rebels in Blackheath
Lord Daubeny couldn’t prevent rebels from entering Blackheath due to insufficient men.
He held back until Ryhs ap Thomas (Earl of Oxford) and the King joined him.
Rebels died
Over 1000 Cornish rebels died at Blackheath
Involvement of Warbeck
Arrived in Taunton with 6,000. Earl of Devon was waiting in Exeter and Willoughby de Broke gathered ships in Portsmouth to block escape. Warbeck fled at approach of Daubeny’s army.
Impact on Cornwall and it’s people
Ring leaders rounded up and executed and 3 years was spent investigating the rebellion.
4000 + people in Somerset were fined in 1500
Fines of £14,000 were levied over Cornwall.
Lutnell and Speke (ex-sheriffs) were fined £100 each.
In October 1497 Henry reasserted authority by taking 10,000 troops into Cornwall
Maintenance of Political Stability in Cornwall post- rebellion
Anyone who fought against Henry at Blackheath was excommunicated
Cornwall was unstable due to a history of unrest and resentment towards government interference.
