Mid Tudor Rebellions

Question 1

Where did the Western Rising begin?

Answer 1

Sampford Courtenay.

Question 2

What event triggered the Western Rising?

Answer 2

The introduction of the First Book of Common Prayer in June 1549.

Question 3

What city did the rebels from the Western Rising head for?

Answer 3

After gathering at Credition, the rebels marched to Exeter. However, the city shut its gates.

Question 4

How was the Western Rebellion defeated?

Answer 4

Lord Russell was sent with a military force. After Lord Grey arrived there were battles at Clyst St. Mary and Clyst St. Heath. At least 3000 were killed.

Question 5

Which events triggered the Kett Rebellion?

Answer 5

Enclosure and other economic concerns.

Question 6

Where did the Kett rebels assemble?

Answer 6

Outside Norwich on Mousehold Heath. It is estimated that there were 16000 of them.

Question 7

Which city did Kett’s rebels successfully capture?

Answer 7

Norwich, although they failed to capture Yarmouth.

Question 8

Who defeated the Kett rebels?

Answer 8

Earl of Warwick (later Duke of Northumberland) crushed the rebels at the Battle of Dussindale. At least 3000 were killed.

Question 9

How were the Rebellions of 1549 a serious threat?

Answer 9

• Large numbers.
• Multiple uprisings across the country.
• Ordinary people.
• Some had military experience through the wars in Scotland.

Question 10

How were the rebellions of 1549 not a serious threat?

Answer 10

• No support from the nobility.
• No co-ordination or shared aims.
• Failed to march on London.
• Poorly equipped in comparison to the Royal Army.

Question 11

What did the population grow to between 1525 and 1551?

Answer 11

2.3 million to 3 million.

Question 12

How many bad harvests were there between 1547 and 1558?

Answer 12

Six.

Question 13

What impact did bad harvests have?

Answer 13

Increased the price of food even more.

Question 14

What was Enclosure?

Answer 14

Landowners fenced off land in order to begin sheep farming.

Question 15

Why was enclosure so unpopular with ordinary people?

Answer 15

Some landowners fenced off common land which ordinary people had used to graze pigs, collect nuts and firewood etc. They lacked the money and education to force their rights through the law courts.

Question 16

How did Somerset try to deal with the problems caused by enclosure?

Answer 16

• Established a Sheep Tax (although this also affected the poor)
• Established Hales Commission into Enclosure in 1548. This angered the wealthy, however, the fact it achieved nothing also angered the poor.

Question 17

How serious was enclosure as a cause of poverty in the Mid-Tudor period?

Answer 17

Most land had been enclosed in the 1400s. The main cause of poverty was population growth. However, this was not visible at the time so people blamed poverty instead.

Question 18

What was debasement of the coinage?

Answer 18

Melting down existing coins and mixing with base metals to produce more coins which were less valuable. This made inflation worse.

Question 19

What was the Vagrants Act 1547?

Answer 19

• Vagabonds could be enslaved for two years.
• The letter V would be branded onto them.

Question 20

What outbreaks of disease took place in Mary’s reign?

Answer 20

Influenza and plague.

Question 21

How serious was the Devise for the Succession?

Answer 21

• Signed by all leading clergy and noblemen.
• Northumberland was very experienced.
• Potential royal replacement in Jane Grey
• Mary rallied her forces effectively.
• Many ordinary people were unhappy to ignore the laws regarding succession.
• Northumberland seemed unprepared and made crucial mistakes.

Question 22

How serious was the Wyatt Rebellion?

Answer 22

• Elizabeth was a ready replacement and possibly had prior knowledge.
• Reached London and directly threatened Mary.
• Complex plan involving simultaneous uprisings and multiple nobles.
• Mary gave a powerful speech at the Guildhall which rallied Londoners.
• Mary had prior knowledge which forced the rebels to act before they were ready.
• Only Wyatt’s rebellion was successful.

Question 23

How much had the cost of goods and rents rose between 1508 and 1530?

Answer 23

69%

Question 24

Who led the Western Rebellion?

Answer 24

Robert Welsh and Arundell.

Question 25

What happened to Robert Welsh?

Answer 25

He was hanged from his own steeple at St. Thomas.

Question 26

Where did conflict break out in Norfolk in 1549?

Answer 26

Wymondham.

Question 27

Which city did Wyatt manage to capture?

Answer 27

Rochester in Kent

Question 28

Which event triggered the Wyatt Rebellion?

Answer 28

Announcement of Mary’s marriage to Philip in January 1554.

Question 29

What is inflation?

Answer 29

The change in prices of goods and services over time.

Question 30

What mistakes did Northumberland make in the aftermath of the Devise?

Answer 30

• Failed to secure Mary before the announcement of Edward’s death,
• Left London to capture Mary. However, those he left quickly surrendered.