Edward VI: Rebellion and unrest Flashcards
Why were there fears of unrest from the start of Edward’s reign?
There were early fears of unrest with Somerset’s appointment of Lord Protector. Somerset lacked the royal authority that kings and queens could rely on to have respect of the people.
Describe the unrest regarding enclosure policies.
It was believed by Somerset that greedy landowners and enclosure was the cause of inflation. Therefore, he ordered investigations into enclosure 1547-1549. Somerset issued proclamations to force landowners to reverse their policies, but legislation was unsuccessful. This also encouraged Laymen to view Somerset as a hero of the common people, and when the legislation failed, they took the law into their own hands by pulling down enclosures themselves, believing Somerset would support them. Somerset instead had to crush this revolt.
When was the Western Rebellion?
On the 6th of June 1949 there was the Western Rebellion.
Outline the events of the Western Rebellion.
s rebels gathered, Lord Protector Somerset was slow to respond. He promised to redress grievances, but the rebels failed to disperse, and it was only after 7 weeks that he sent in troops. Taking advantage of government slowness, the rebels set up a camp on Bodmin Moor (shades of Kett’s rebellion) and 2,000 men eventually decided to lay siege to the largest city in the area, Exeter. In doing this they made the same error as Kett, turning protest into open rebellion; they also slowed down any move that might have been made against government forces – the siege lasted 6 weeks. There was a battle afterwards in which 4,000 rebels are killed by a government force of German mercenaries. The Government does not make concessions to the rebels.
What was the rebel’s mistake in the Western Rebellion?
The rebel leadership was poor as it moved slowly and allowed themselves to be bogged down in the siege of Exeter.
How significant was the Western Rebellion?
There was widespread discontent, but no rebel advance into southern England as in 1497. If Somerset was not distracted by Kett etc… it would have been over sooner. This suggests that the threat of the uprising was not that significant.
When was Kett’s rebellion?
Kett’s rebellion was in July 1549
Outline the causes of Kett’s rebellion.
Kett’s Rebellion in 1549 was primarily a reaction to the enclosure policy and the failure of Edward Seymour as Lord Protector. People felt enclosure interfered with their ancient rights to work and farm the land. Enclosure mainly affected the poorest in society because they could not afford to buy land. Enclosure deprived them of any chance to grow food and earn a living.
Outline the main events of Kett’s rebellion.
By the time the rebels got to Mousehold Heath, he commanded about 16,000 men. Robert Kett drew up a petition for Edward Seymour and Edward VI, which listed the rebels’ demands. The petition contained 29 clauses and was written diplomatically and in a language that corresponded to the new religion. Upon receiving this, Somerset promised them a free pardon if they returned peacefully to their homes and threatened them with violence if they did not comply. Kett and the rebels refused the offer of a pardon and again attempted to enter the city. This time they were successful and Norwich, the second-largest city in England, fell into rebel hands. The Marquis of Northampton was sent out with an army of 1400 men to retake the city. However, he was completely unsuccessful. The rebels were then defeated by the Earl of Warwick. The battle was a disaster for the rebels. Thousands were killed and many simply fled. Eventually, the rebellion was crushed. Both Robert Kett and his brother William Kett were captured. Robert Kett was imprisoned, tried for treason and hanged.
