Edward VI - Rebellion

Question 1

What were the two rebellions during Edward’s reign?

Answer 1

Prayer Book Rebellion (1549)
Ketts Rebellion (1549)

Question 2

Causes of Prayer Book Rebellion?

Answer 2

Economic - anger among sheep farmers at Somerset’s sheep tax
Social - Tension between peasants and landowners
Religious - New prayer book in English, wanted return of Latin, Treason Act in 1947
Political - Local government officials who involved in sheep tax were unpopular

Question 2

Causes of Ketts Rebellion?

Answer 2

Economic - Local landowners refused to allow ordinary people to graze animals on common land
Social - Anger at enclosures (Somerset’s promises) caused tension between peasants and landowners. Norfolk Foldcourse denied access to peasants
Religious - Not very religious, many rebels were Protestant
Political - Locals attacked ‘corrupt’ JPS, gentries and the Howards

Question 3

Features of Prayerbook rebellion?

Answer 3

1. William Body killed by mob who resented his attempts to remove traditional Catholic statues
2. Somerset - mobs tore down fences and hedges (enclosures)
3. Grew out of Cornwall/Devon
4. 6,000 rebels besieged Exeter - Lord Russell sent in

Question 4

Why was the Prayer Book rebellion a threat?

Answer 4

1. Tried to force government to reverse religious reforms
2. Martial law used to deal with rebels - very dangerous
3. By June, rebellion to 6,000 people
4. Reaction time was slow due to focus on religious reforms
5. Somerset position weakened
6. Arundell - strong leadership and good tactician
7. Rebels divided into military groups

Question 5

Why was Prayer Book rebellion not a threat?

Answer 5

1. Did not want to overthrow monarchy
2. No foreign support - Italian mercenaries sued against them
3. No real chance of bringing Catholicism back
4. Government reacted harshly
5. Mostly support from Western counties

Question 6

Why did Prayer Book fail?

Answer 6

1. Repeated defeats from loyalists struck at motivation
2. Army reacted strongly to enforce reforms
3. Over 5,500 died
4. Sick of civilian deaths
5. Russell began defeating groups in Devon

Question 7

Where did Prayer Book Rebellion spread to?

Answer 7

From Cornwall to Devon

Question 8

Features of Ketts Rebellion?

Answer 8

1. Led by Robert Kett peacefully
2. 15,000 men at its peak
3. Earl of Warwick arrived with 12,000 men
4. August - 3,000 rebels killed
5. Somerset tried to be kind to the rebels but this made him seem weak to rivals of the court

Question 9

Why was the Ketts rebellion a threat?

Answer 9

1. Kett was a strong leader and very organised
2. Support from all over the country - 15,000
3. Government weakened by other affairs
4. Rebels were well established and had a plan
5. Government reaction was weak, passive and slow (pardons, etc)

Question 10

Why was Ketts Rebellion not a threat?

Answer 10

1. No intention of overthrowing Edward
2. Privy Council provided strong voice of opposition
3. Plan was relatively passive, originally peaceful
4. No foreign support
5. No marching toward London

Question 11

Why did Kett Rebellion fail?

Answer 11

1. Rebels vulnerable to weaponry and tactics of Warwick’s men
2. Rebel army destroyed - 4,000 deaths
3. Could not withstand attack on Norwich - forced out of city
4. 50 rebel leaders executed
5. Many surrendered