Economy/social Flashcards
What economic policy did Somerset continue from HVIII and how much was raised ?
- Continued debasement to finance the war against Scotland
- £537,000 BUT added to social distress and and inflationary pressures
What happened in 1548 ?
- A poor harvest which increased inflationary pressures
What were the economic factors which helped bring discontent during Somerset’s rule ? (1547-9)
- Inflationary presures
- Agrarian issues (enclosure and harvest failure)
- Taxation
What was done about enclosure ?
- Root of many social and economic problems
- Like Wolsey agreed to set up a commission to investigate the problem and issued a proclamation against enclosure
- Little achieved apart from annoying the landowners and raising the expectations of the poor
What tax did Somerset introduce ?
- Sheep tax (1549) in order to deter enclosure BUT it put. a huge financial pressure of small famers in upland areas
How did Northumberland stabilise national finances ?
- Brought an end to the wars in France and Scotland (1551)
- Ended debasement
How much was raised for a French payment for the return of Boulogne ?
- £133,333
Did Northumberland ever debase coinage ?
- One final debasement but the practice was then abandoned
How were the economy/crown finances improved under Northumberland ?
- Melting of church plate for bullion, Mildmay produced a a detailed analysis of the shortcomings in royal finance administration and plans made for the streamlining of financial administration
- Most didn’t come in to fruition until the reign of Mary
What were the reasons for rebellion and disorder ?
- In some parts of the country religious reasons predominated
- Midlands + East Anglia agrarian and social grievances were most important
- Resentment of taxation remained a factor
What happened to most social grievances under Edward VI ?
- Died out quickly due to insufficient support or through prompt action from the nobility and the gentry
- Eg Earl of Arundel managed to calm matters down in Sussex (restored quavering quiet)
What is described as the worst year of the Tudor period ?
- 1549
Where was the Western rebellion and what is it also known as ?
- The prayer book rebellion
- Cornwall and Devon (lack of proximity from the crown) however a lack of nobility in the SW making it harder to oppress
What sort of people were involved and what motivations did they have ? (prayer book rebellion)
- Yeomen, absence of clergy, gentry and the nobility
- At least 3,000 were involved
- Motivations : Described the new book of common prayer as like a Christmas game, wanted to reverse the religious changes and social grievances
What was happening at the same time as the Western rebellion ?
- Aug 1549 : France declared war on England
- Struggle to suppress enclosure riots in the midlands
- Needed to maintain adequate forces on the Scottish border
How easily was the Western rebellion suppressed ?
- 29th June 1549 : Russell was only provided with a small army and the threat was underestimated
- 16th Aug 1549 : Russell advanced and defeated the rebel forces at Sampford Courtenay
- An estimated 3,000 people had been killed
How did the aftermath of the suppression of the Western Rebellion cause backlash ?
- Government forces had acted illegally as they executed without trial and confiscated/redistributed property
When was the Western rebellion ?
- 6th June - 17th Aug 1549
When was Kett’s rebellion ?
- 8th July - 27th Aug 1549
How many people were involved in the Kett rebellion and what was their status ?
- 16,000 men
- Absence of nobility, clergy and gentry
- Led by Kett (a tanner and property owner)
What was the context of Kett’s rebellion ?
- Overlapped with the Western Rebellion
- At the time garrisons on the border of Scotland were removed making England more vulnerable
- 8th Aug 1549 : France declared war on England
How easily was Kett’s dealt with ?
- Only 90 miles from London (closer than other rebellions) still a considerable distance
- Leniently dealt with (49 executed)
- 3,000 rebels were slaughtered on the the 27th Aug 1549
Where was the location of Kett’s rebellion ?
- East Anglia (90 miles from London)
What was the cause of Kett’s rebellion ?
- negative impacts from enclosure
- Outlet for social frustrations
Why was Kett’s initially so hard to suppress ?
- The rebels were well organised and disciplined
- They were able to negotiate with the civic authorities in Norwich
How was Kett’s rebellion finally suppressed ?
- Forced to send an army including mercenaries under the Command of Warwick to deal with the rebels
- 27th Aug 1549 : the rebellion was brutally suppressed and Kett was convicted of high treason and hanged
