Economy, finance and social order (Somerset)

Question 1

Economy and Finance

Answer 1

-Bankrupt and high inflation
-Effects of debasement
-Restoration of coinage wasn’t possible whilst troops were stationed in Scotland
-Argued enclosure was root of problems
-Sold chantries
-Bad harvests also led to rebellions

Question 2

Social Order

Answer 2

-Concerns over poverty
-Fear of poor growing (government acted against vagrants)
-Removed heresy laws (allowed people to talk about religion without oppression)

Question 3

Western Rebellion (1549)- why did it happen?

Answer 3

-Resentment from church commission (arrogant and created fear of confiscation of church goods)
-Destruction of church images led to him being murdered a year later (William Body)
-New prayer book introduction (use on Whitsunday)

Question 3

Rebels involved

Answer 3

-Humphrey Arundell (Cornish leader)
-Robert Welsh (vicar who was hanged off a church with rosary beads and a bucket of holy water)

Question 4

What did they do in the western rebellion?

Answer 4

-Marched to Sampford Courtenay
-Local gentry lost control and diplomacy angered them
-Put pressure on Exeter (held out for six weeks)
-Rebels pushed back by Lord Russell on 16th August and suppressed

Question 5

Reaction from government

Answer 5

-Somerset acted on inadequate information and limited resources
-Urged Lord Russell (catholic) to come to peaceful agreement
-Was watching Scottish border and for French aggression

Question 6

Threat?

Answer 6

Was a threat:
-Showed weakness in governments control
-France declared war on 8th August (same time as rebellion)
-Government acted illegally (no trials and confiscating property)
-Troops were in Scotland (unavailable)
Wasn’t a threat:
-Weren’t marching on London
-No foreign powers involved
-Local government suppressed it

Question 7

The Kett’s rebellion- why did it happen?

Answer 7

-Enclosure fences taken down (tore down Flowerdew’s fences because of his unpopularity)
-Hatred of government officials/abuse by landowners
-Could release pent up frustration from maladministration of Howards (Norfolk)

Question 8

Rebels involved

Answer 8

Robert Kett- local landowner
-No gentry or clergy involved
-16,000 gathered on Mousehold Heath

Question 9

What did they do?

Answer 9

-Produced articles to government
-Local gentry couldn’t contain rebels
-Attacked Norwich (coastal)
-Took Norwich on 22nd July

Question 10

Reactions from government

Answer 10

-York Herrald offered full pardon
-Promised reforms (reducing price of wool)
-Many wanted to accept but Kett refused
-Suppressed by Northumberland in August