Economy/social

Question 1

What economic policy did Somerset continue from HVIII and how much was raised ?

Answer 1

• Continued debasement to finance the war against Scotland

- £537,000 BUT added to social distress and and inflationary pressures

Question 2

What happened in 1548 ?

Answer 2

• A poor harvest which increased inflationary pressures

Question 3

What were the economic factors which helped bring discontent during Somerset’s rule ? (1547-9)

Answer 3

• Inflationary presures
• Agrarian issues (enclosure and harvest failure)
• Taxation

Question 4

What was done about enclosure ?

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

What tax did Somerset introduce ?

Answer 5

• Sheep tax (1549) in order to deter enclosure BUT it put. a huge financial pressure of small famers in upland areas

Question 6

How did Northumberland stabilise national finances ?

Answer 6

• Brought an end to the wars in France and Scotland (1551)

- Ended debasement

Question 7

How much was raised for a French payment for the return of Boulogne ?

Answer 7

• £133,333

Question 8

Did Northumberland ever debase coinage ?

Answer 8

• One final debasement but the practice was then abandoned

Question 9

How were the economy/crown finances improved under Northumberland ?

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

What were the reasons for rebellion and disorder ?

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

What happened to most social grievances under Edward VI ?

Answer 11

• 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)

Question 12

What is described as the worst year of the Tudor period ?

Answer 12

• 1549

Question 13

Where was the Western rebellion and what is it also known as ?

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

What sort of people were involved and what motivations did they have ? (prayer book rebellion)

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

What was happening at the same time as the Western rebellion ?

Answer 15

• Aug 1549 : France declared war on England
• Struggle to suppress enclosure riots in the midlands
• Needed to maintain adequate forces on the Scottish border

Question 16

How easily was the Western rebellion suppressed ?

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

How did the aftermath of the suppression of the Western Rebellion cause backlash ?

Answer 17

• Government forces had acted illegally as they executed without trial and confiscated/redistributed property

Question 18

When was the Western rebellion ?

Answer 18

• 6th June - 17th Aug 1549

Question 19

When was Kett’s rebellion ?

Answer 19

• 8th July - 27th Aug 1549

Question 20

How many people were involved in the Kett rebellion and what was their status ?

Answer 20

• 16,000 men
• Absence of nobility, clergy and gentry
• Led by Kett (a tanner and property owner)

Question 21

What was the context of Kett’s rebellion ?

Answer 21

• 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

Question 22

How easily was Kett’s dealt with ?

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

Where was the location of Kett’s rebellion ?

Answer 23

• East Anglia (90 miles from London)

Question 24

What was the cause of Kett’s rebellion ?

Answer 24

• negative impacts from enclosure

- Outlet for social frustrations

Question 25

Why was Kett’s initially so hard to suppress ?

Answer 25

• The rebels were well organised and disciplined

- They were able to negotiate with the civic authorities in Norwich

Question 26

How was Kett’s rebellion finally suppressed ?

Answer 26

• 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