Rebellion and unrest Flashcards
main economic problems in Tudor times
population rise inflation enclosure decline in living standards poverty and vagrancy rising rents poor harvest influenza and epidemics
why did the rising population cause problems
agricultural production couldn’t keep up with the population so prices began to rise which was worsened by bad harvest
grains increased in prices which were essential to diet
a young population meant more dependent people who were not contributing financially
why was enclosure happening
land wasn’t always fertile enough for food so were being turned over to sheep farming as demand for wool grew which meant less employment opportunities and less food
what were the effects of inflation
rising rents and prices
they had to debase the coinage to fund wars with France and Scotland which mean more money but not more food.
Wages also failed to keep up with price rises which meant a decline in living standards
bad harvests also mad the prices of food even higher
what was the result of dissolving the monostries
removed an institution which helped the poor
what were the effects of a depression in the cloth trade
more unemployment and poverty
what were the problems with vagrants
threatened law and order and turned to crime. Govt made 1547 Vagrancy Act which condemned vagrants to 2 yrs slavery and subsequent life enslavement for a 2nd offence
what were govt reactions to socioeconomic problems
continued debasement of coinage which worsened inflation
1548 and 1549 commissions into enclosure- limited achievement as landowners blocked legislation. Somerset had to use proclamations which lost him support of landowners but won him support of the poor. Resulted in poor taking things into their own hands and destroying enclosures
1547 vagrancy act which condemned vagrants to 2 yrs slavery and subsequent life enslavement for a 2nd offence
what were the causes of the Western Rebellion 1549
Religion- 1547 William Body killed at Helston while trying to get rid of images. 1549 peasants gather at Helston to oppose Act of Uniformity. Sampford Courtenay on Whit Monday locals object new prayer book and want it to be said in the old way. Demands largely religious as drawn up by Catholic priests wanting restoration of old doctrine, mass in Latin, images restored, old services and prayers for the dead
Economic- initial list included complaints of sheep and cloth tax, a big problem inn Devon and Cornwall
Social- attacked gentry at St Micheal’s Mount, shouted ‘Kill Gentry’ at Bodmin, killed William Hellyons and attacked Trematon Castle. Govt setting fire to rebels defenses at Crediton described as ‘widening cleavage’ between gentry and laity. Feared that poor would turn Exeter to rebels who were seiging it, this was stopped when rich began provisions to poor. Gentry benefited from dissolution of monstrosities and enforced new religion as well as exploitng poor with high rents and not protecting them
Outline Kett’s rebellion
Began as enclosure riot in Norfolk towns Attleborough and Wymondham
Angry at Flowerdew who had demolished abbey and enclosed land, Kett also enclosed land so Flowerdew tried to turn rebels against him but Kett maintained control.
Raised 16, 000 men ho marched to Norwich and camped at Mousehold Heath.
Local forces were defeated, a pardon was refused and they seized Norwich
Marquis of Northampton went with 14, 000 troops which was defeated.
Warwick defeated rebels at Dussindale.
What were the demands of the rebels? Did these reflect their actions?
Agricultural demands- complains of enclosure of Safforn in Saffron Walden, complains that gentry were exploiting the fold course system, enclosure, wanting river open for all to fish
Economic- landowners increasing rents to keep up with inflation (wealthy homes most deystoryed in Norwhich)
Religious- mostly Protestant demands, used ministers in camp who used New Prayer Book
Social- social structure, gentry as landowners, running of govt, officers of the Court of Wards and local officials who used position to make gains in land market (implemented new govt system at camp, mistreated gentry, beat Lord Sheffield)
where was religion a reason for uprising? Enclosure?
enclosure- Lincolnshire, Hertfordshore, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Surrey and Kent
religion- oxfordshire, hampshire, yorkshire, the seamer rising, Glapthorn in Northhampshire
Was the Western rebellion serious?
Serious- took many battles to defaeat it, accompanied by other rebellions and Edward still a minor, they had aggressive demands, 3000 rebels killed and a strong reaction from the govt after, at the time of the invasion of France, troops had to be called back from Scotland to fight
Not serious- didn’t aim to remove Ed from throne but wanted religious change, didn’t advance on London, failed to take Exeter, lack of support from nobility, failed to join with other risings
was Kett’s rebellion serious?
serious- context of risings meant resources were stretched, they defeated Northampton and took Norwich, 16,000 rebels, 3000+ rebels killed, invasion of France, troops bought back from Scotland, large ordely camps
Not serious- didn’t aim to remove Edward, didn’t march on London, large orderly camps, Kett’s move from Mousehold to Dussindale
Evidence LJG affair was religiously motivated
Guilford married Jane whilst Edward was still healthy so little in it for Northumberland
Edward strong Protestant who would have wanted to bar Catholic Mary from succession
