Economic Policy and Rebellions Flashcards
3 factors for the economic discontent under Somersets reign
- pressures from inflation
- agrarian issues (bad harvests and enclosures)
- taxation
what happened to inflation under Somerset and what was the impact of this?
it increased rapidly so led to reduction in wages particularly for lower class
what caused even more inflation under Somerset?
the debasement of the coinage and poor harvests
why did Somerset debase the coinage?
in order to fund wars against Scotland
What did writer John Hales (who influenced Somerset) say about inflation
root cause of many of the countries social and economic problems
how much money did Somerset raise from debasement?
£537,000
when was the poor harvest under Somerset?
1548
what was the impact of the enclosure commissioners Somerset had issued
little achieved apart from raising expectations of the poor :( and annoying landowners
taxation caused great discontent under Somerset but why did he continue this
to fund foreign policy in Scotland
how else was the Scottish wars financed?
by land sales and borrowing of money
why did Somerset introduce a tax on sheep?
to deter Enclosure
since he thought the main driver of enclosure was profits gained from converting from arable to pastures
why did grazing sheep provide money
wool and cloth for export market !!
what was the main effect of Somersets taxation on sheep instead of deterring enclosure
pressure on small farmers in upland areas who were forced to graze sheep for subsistence
how did northumberland stabilise national finances
he brought an end to wars against Scotland and France
what did the French pay for
Boulogne returned to them
how much did the French pay to have Boulogne returned to them
£133,333
how many times did Northumberland debase the coinage
once before abandoning the practice
example of an unscrupulous (not honest or fair) method northumberland used to improve finances
melting down church plate for bullion
when were the major rebellions
1549
before 1549 what were the rebellions like
small, unorganised rebellions that were no threat due to insufficient support or prompt action from local nobility
what were the 3 main reasons for unrest and disorder
- religious changes
- resentment of taxation
- enclosures
where was the western rebellion
Devon and Cornwall
what phrase was used to describe western rebellion
‘prayer book rebellion’
how did the western rebellion rebels describe the new book of common prayer
‘Christmas game’
what did the western rebellions want to achieve
reversed religious reform
- since traditional rituals and churchs wider role in community gone
also disliked the sheep tax - ignorant govt
how long did western rebellion last
jun 1549 - august 1549
72 days !
Ketts rebellion lasted how long
July 1549 - august 1549
50 days
What were the 3 significances of the Western Rebellion?
The rebellion was put down.
Martial law (military government) was used to deal with the rebels. This indicates how dangerous the situation was.
Somerset’s position in government was seriously weakened.
how many rebels killed in ketts rebellion
3,000
what date was ketts rebellion put down
27th august
what date was western rebellion put down
17th august
what 2 factors caused ketts rebellion
- hatred of local govt officials
- resentment of abuse by landowners of the Norfolk foldcoourse system
what was the Norfolk foldcourse
foldcourse was right to graze sheep on enclosed land and in many Norfolk villages these rights were held by peasant farmers
but some landowners withheld this and caused peasant discontent
what did the rebels want (ketts rebellion)
for govt to act on reform that they thought had been made from Somerset about enclosures
what did the ketts rebels do to try achieve this
camped at Mousehold Heath just outside Norwich where their leader Robert Kett managed to maintain order and discipline and negotiate with civic authorities
