Rebellions Flashcards
How many rebellions in total in 1549?
17 (2 got out of hand)
Social causes of the Western rebellion?
The destruction of one of the remaining chantry churches, Glasney College, brought an end to scholarship that had helped sustain the Cornish language and cultural identity
The issue of enclosure had affected the Cornish people
Religious causes of the Western rebellion?
The introduction of the BCP in 1549 was problematic in the Catholic area
Local archdeacon William Body attacked for Protestant sympathies
The 1549 Act of Uniformity made it unlawful to use Latin liturgical rites, along with a banning of traditional symbols and icons within local churches
Political causes of the Western rebellion?
Some historians argue that this rebellion had its roots in the memory of the harsh treatment of the Cornish rebels in 1497
Economic causes of the Western rebellion?
From 1547-9, inflation had led to wheat prices quadrupling
Aims of the Western rebellion?
Destroy land or kill as many gentry as possible (rebels shouted ‘kill the gentlemen’ at Bodmin)
How many rebels were there in the Western rebellion?
Over 6,000
How did Somerset respond to the Western rebellion?
Originally tried to negotiate with the rebels, but then sent an army to put the rebellion down, resulting in the deaths of 4,000 rebels
Example of the harsh nature of Somerset’s response to the Western rebellion?
900 throats slit in 10 minutes
Arguments that the Western rebellion was serious?
Harsh response
At one point Russell considered retreating because he thought he couldn’t beat the rebels
Somerset planned to delay collection of sheep tax and Cranmer suggested Cornish BCP to pacify rebels
Took 5 battles to put down
Russell worried that rebels would facilitate French invasion - WR coincided with declaration of war from France, rebels held Plymouth and Russell worried that the rebels would hold it for the French (little evidence to suggest this)
Arguments that the Western rebellion was not serious?
Lacked support of gentry (except Sir Humphrey Arundel, minor gentry)
Confined to the West Country (and Exeter citizens never joined)
No direct challenge to the King, no plans to replace him
Not a united movement (as seen from the fact that there were 3 different sets of articles)
Causes of Kett’s rebellion?
SOCIAL/LOCAL GRIEVANCES
Food prices rising, lack of poor relief due to fallout from the dissolution of the monasteries, enclosure
How did Kett’s rebellion begin?
6-8 July: crowds broke down enclosure fences, such as those of a local lawyer John Flowerdew. Kett assumed leadership of the movement and had camped on Mousehold Heath by 12th July.
How big was Kett’s rebellion?
16,000 rebels in total
Arguments that Kett’s rebellion was serious?
Big - 16,000 rebels (size of movement paralysed local authorities)
Earl of Warwick had to march on Norwich with 12,000 men to put it down
