Kett's Rebellion Flashcards
How was Kett’s rebellion threatening? (3)
- 16,000 strong rebel army which seized Norwich twice and defeated a professional army
- Well-organised and effectively run camp
- Somerset was extremely unpopular, and so nobles supported his rule being challenged
How was Kett’s rebellion not threatening? (3)
- Decisively defeated by Warwick
- Kett lacked military knowledge and tactics
- Limited resources due to lack of noble support
What were the political consequences of Kett’s rebellion? (2)
- Earl of Warwick becomes Lord Protector
- Somerset imprisoned and executed in 1551
What were the socio-economic consequences of Kett’s rebellion? (4)
- Ended large scale anti-enclosure movements
- Common land gone
- Rise of poverty
- No further peasant rebellions in the Tudor period
How big was Kett’s rebel army?
16,000
What was notable about class cooperation?
Rebels refused to work with nobility
What was the Oak of Reformation?
Kett’s court in which he passed judgment on landowners
Who lead Somerset’s first army, what was particular about it and how big was it?
William Parr, many Italian mercenaries, 1,500
How many rebels surrendered when offered a pardon after first taking Norwich?
20
Who lead Somerset’s second army, what was particular about it and how big was it?
Earl of Warwick, mainly experienced German mercenaries, 12,000
How many rebels were massacred at Dussindale compared to the Royal Army?
3,000 compared to 200
When was Kett captured?
27th August, following Dussindale
What was the attitude of the Earl of Warwick towards the rebellion?
- fearful of revolt, didn’t want it to succeed
- but also didn’t want to support Somerset’s government
What did the Earl of Warwick do following the rebellion?
- lead repression (9 executed)
- became Lord Protector
What was the role of the Duke of Somerset and why was he controversial?
- Lord Protector
- took the role against Henry VIII’s wishes and ruled as a dictator against the decreed collective leadership
What was the Duke of Somerset’s attitude toward enclosure?
Sympathetic, encouraging rebellion through commissions and accepting petitions
What were the socio-economic causes of Kett’s rebellion? (3)
- ‘Mid Tudor Crisis’ caused by debasement, and inflation due to war
- Poor harvests in 1545 and 1549
- Population increase
What was the population increase between 1525-1551?
2.3 - 3 million
What was the price increase between 1500-1550?
~300%
What were the political causes of Kett’s rebellion? (3)
- Somerset passes commission on enclosure to protect peasants - ‘Good Duke’
- Ploughed up illegal enclosures
- Alienated landed gentry
What were the religious causes of Kett’s rebellion? (3)
- Reformation of corrupt religious authority created a parallel with secular
- Rebels held frequent Protestant services at Oak
- Protestant-Humanist noblemen sympathised with rebels
What were the attitudes of Humanists / Commonwealth men?
The needs of society are vital for the success of the country
Why did Kett’s attitude to enclosure change?
Local landowner Flowerdew tried to turn the village community against him
What was rack-renting?
Charging extortionate rent in order to force peasants off land
What was foldcourse?
The right of peasants to enclose land to prevent sheep grazing on common areas
What was engrossing?
Combining farms under one wealthy landowner leading to the eviction of peasants
What were copyholders?
Peasants whose all copies of the rights to their land were in the hands of the landowner
What were the social impacts of enclosure? (4)
- Increased poverty
- Challenged traditional village structure
- Landowners ‘lost’ peasants’ land rights
- Tactics such as engrossing created class tension
What were the political impacts of enclosure? (2)
- Concerns about rebellion
- Humanist factions formed in court
What were the economic impacts of enclosure? (2)
- Fewer workers needed on enclosed land
- Prioritised sheep farming which reduced space for growing food, causing price rise
What were the mistakes of Kett? (2)
- Lacked military knowledge and tactics
- Listened to ‘prophecies’ suggesting victory at Dussindale, causing them to retreat
What were the mistakes of Somerset? (2)
- Encouraged rebellion through enclose commissions
- Appointed Parr, Marquess of Northampton who mishandled the situation
Tudor Society - John Guy
‘Tudor England was an unequal society, and gloried in that fact’
Class inequality - Cornwall (Kett’s)
‘the state had been taken over by a breed of men whose policy was to rob the poor for the benefit of the rich’
Declaration of the Duke of Somerset (PP, SL, M and such like are the DI)
‘Private profit, self love, money and such like are the devil’s instruments’
First demand of Robert Kett, July 1549
‘We pray your grace that from henceforth no man shall enclose any more’
Subversion of power - Paget, advisor
‘the feet have taken the role of the head and the commons believe that they are King’
When and where was Kett’s rebellion?
Norfolk 1549
