Rebellion and unrest Flashcards
What problems did England face in 1547?
Population increase Inflation Enclosures Religious unsettlement Poverty and vagrancy Rising rents Poor harvests
Why was population increase such a significant problem for England in 1547?
Since the plague, England did not see an population rise as vast as in 1547. Although it was not as substantial as the industrial age, an increase of 0.7 million by 1551, meant that the agricultural productivity was not able to keep up with the amount of people in England. Therefore, causing a lack of food, leading to increasing rates of poverty and mass starvation.
How did the debasement of the coin effect the English economy and the everyday lives of the people?
To fund for the wars ongoing France, the English coin’s value decreased as gold content was removed. This meant that prices rose due to the decrease of value in the currency. Furthermore, triggering inflation, which was unable to be kept up with by the English people.
How did the problem of enclosures contribute to unrest in England?
Enclosures took away the common land from the people, resulting in a deprivation of places for the poor to grass their farm animals. This caused social tensions between the rich and the poor, as it was seen as greed. Moreover, many viewed enclosures to be a cause of inflation, which caused a mass increase in poverty and vagrancy. Somerset also expressed his views on enclosures, giving the people hope for the termination of them. This meant, when they rebelled against the enclosures, they thought they would have the support from the Lord Protector.
Why was there a rising in Devon and Cornwall?
Although there was some underlining socio-economic reasoning for the rebellion, the religious changes undergoing in England, was the main cause of the rebellion. Mainly the introduction of the New Prayer Book and the Act of Uniformity which triggered the most amount of outrage.
What were some of the rebels demands in the Western Rising?
- Six Articles to be used again as they were during Henry VIII’s rule
- Mass in Latin
- Holy bread and holy water every Sunday, images to be restored
- Return to the old service
- Purgatory to still be practised
What were the causes of the Kett’s rebellion?
Enclosures and socio-economic reasons were the main cause of the rebellion.
How many men did Kett have in his army?
16,000 men
What were the rebels demands in the Kett’s rebellion?
- No lord of a manor to use common land
- Meadow ground to be the same price as it was during Henry VII’s reign
- Priests or vicars unable to preach to their parishioners to be removed
What were the social grievances?
Rebels attacked the nobles and gentry as landlords, demonstrating their hatred for the upper classes and the social divide between the rich and the poor.
Why did the Western Rising fail?
Army was set in to defeat the rebels, which initially did not work, but eventually the government were successful.
