Edward VI - Kett Rebellion

Question 1

How as the Lord Protector related to Henry VIII? What side was he on politically?

Answer 1

Edward Seymour, Lord Protector was the brother of Jane Seymour, Henry’s 3rd wife. Protestant, reformist

Question 2

what was contributing to economic problems during Edward’s reign?

Answer 2

population growth but economy wasn’t developing –> unemployment –> less food –> food prices increased
enclosure - mostly in midlands and some in the North
wool trade became successful so landowners started that to increase profits –> fewer labourers –> unemployment

Question 3

Who were the main people speaking up against enclosure and about the commonwealth?

Answer 3

Hugh Latimer (bishop of Worcester), Thomas More and John Hales (Somerset's friend)
Preached at court in front of King and nobles

Question 4

What were the main religious articles in Kett’s rebellion?

Answer 4

wanted priests to be resident and care for parishioners
don’t want priests to have land
want priests to be able to preach
want priests to teach children or pay for their teaching

Question 5

what were the main socio-economic articles of the Kett rebellion?

Answer 5

exception of enclosure laws for growing saffron
want enclosure to stop
want rent increases to stop
don’t want lower classes to keep certain animals (maintaining hierarchy)
want gov officials who have wronged them to compensate

Question 6

What were the articles of the Kett rebellion related to local government?

Answer 6

laws - incl enclosure laws - not properly enforced
gov enforcers and feodaries have too much influence
want landowners to stop selling land at high prices
not against central gov

Question 7

How did engrossing and rack renting affect the poorer classes? Why?

Answer 7

engrossing - buildings might be left to decay while previous occupants forced to leave
rack renting - landlords could evict tenants who couldn’t pay elevated rent -> income lost

Question 8

What measure were taken by govs to restrict enclosure, engrossing and rack renting?

Answer 8

1489 - attempted to pass Act of Parliament to regulate enclosure
1517 - Wolsey issued commission of inquiry into illegal enclosures
1533 - Sheep and Farms Act to restrict sheep per farmer to 2,400, allowed max 2 farms to be engrossed
1549 - tax on sheep introduced to restrict flock size and discourage landlords farming sheep

Question 9

How much did the population increase between 1525-51?

Answer 9

From 2.3mil to 3mil

Question 10

What policies did John Hales try and introduce and how successful were they?

Answer 10

A series of bulls encouraging economic and social reform - they all failed as parliament represented the interested of landed elites who profited from enclosure apart from sheep farming tax

Question 11

What commission did Somerset and Hales set up? What powers did it have/not have?

Answer 11

Commissions into illegal enclosures

Didn’t have the power to close down illegal enclosures or punish those in breach of the law

Question 12

How successful were the commissions?

Answer 12

Commissioners appointed but only 1 commission happened. Found little evidence of illegal enclosure, Hales claimed it was due to local landlords refusing to comply

Question 13

What actions did Somerset take himself and how did they affect his relationship with the ruling classes?

Answer 13

Ordered illegal enclosures to be ploughed up - Norfolk and Warwick’s land affected
April 1549 - new commissions where illegal enclosures could be destroyed but this was illegal
Alienated landed gentry and nobility - first line of defence against rebellions

Question 14

When did the Prayer Book rebellion start and where?

Answer 14

June 1549 in Cornwall and Devon against Protestant Prayer Books in English that Somerset had introduced

Question 15

When, where and how did the Kett rebellion start?

Answer 15

6-8th July 1549 in Wymondham, Norfolk with rebels uprooting Flowerdew’s fences then started on Kett’s but he listened to them and decided to join their cause

Question 16

When and where did the rebels set up camp? What did they do there?

Answer 16

Mousehold Heath, Norwich. 10-12th July
Set up a court and tried local gentry for their crimes and imprisoned them. Local council did nothing as Norfolk was in prison, leaving a power vacuum

Question 17

Why did the army sent against Kett fail? Who was in charge of it? When?

Answer 17

The rebels took advantage of their superior knowledge of Norfolk’s terrain and used guerrilla warfare which defeated William Parr’s army on 30th July

Question 18

Why did Kett keep refusing to accept pardons issued by royal representatives?

Answer 18

He claimed that they weren’t rebels and weren’t doing anything wrong so didn’t need a pardon

Question 19

What happened on the 8th of August and what effect did it have?

Answer 19

France declared war on England.

It slowed down their response to the Kett rebellion for almost a month

Question 20

When did the Earl of Warwick arrive and what happened?

Answer 20

23 August - attacked by rebels but resisted

26 August - 1,000 mercenaries arrived, rebel supply lines were cut and they moved to Dussindale

Question 21

What happened at Dussindale on 27th August?

Answer 21

Rebels were defeated - land was flat so Warwick could use trained cavalry unlike at Mousehold Heath. Up to 3,000 rebels killed

Question 22

When was Kett executed? How many others were killed?

Answer 22

7th December. At least 49. 9 hung drawn and quartered at the Oak of Reformation

Question 23

What were the strengths of Kett’s leadership?

Answer 23

respect of locals
quick thinking in joining rebellion
managed to control and feed 16,000 peasants for over a month - organisation and respect
gained rebels’ trust so they stayed w/him despite pardons/threats
insisted on good order and peace - civilised camp
ran local gov fairly and justly
used effective written communication rather than threats to make local gov comply

Question 24

What were the weaknesses of Kett’s leadership?

Answer 24

persisting even after pardons but still saying they just wanted to be heard
didn’t have military experience, couldn’t lead an army against Earl of Warwick - experienced commander
panicked after supplies were cut off and moved to Dussindale which was a weak move due to terrain

Question 25

What were the strengths of Warwick’s leadership?

Answer 25

experienced military commander - Admiral of King’s navy and secrved in Henry VIII’s wars w/France + Scot
owned Wymondham manor, Kett was his tenant
was willing to compromise and offer pardons ex Kett
guaranteed loyalty by making men sign oath saying they wouldn’t leave until they’d won/died
cut off supply lines to rebels - good tactic
ordered army to open fire on main gate which broke down defences
attacked the day after rebels moved - didn’t have time to prepare properly
willing to compromise and offer pardons right until the end
put down rebels harshly as an example

Question 26

What were the weaknesses of Warwick’s leadership?

Answer 26

didn’t control his forces well enough - young rebel boy shot by one of his men after they were welcomed into rebel camp
didn’t know Norfolk’s layout leaving them exposed to attacks
willing to endanger his men for small victories