Source question - Western Rebellion 1549 Flashcards
How did Henry’s faith change throughout his life?
Began as Catholic - became Protestant - became more Catholic again towards his death (Likely due to Katherine Howard’s association with Catholicism/Catholic factions)
What day did the Western rebellion begin?
Whit monday - the day after the book’s introduction
What title was given to Henry VIII by the pope?
Fidei Defensor “defender of the faith”
Context behind the religious causes of Western Rebellion:
Henry VIII was initially very catholic - title of Fidei Defensor given to him by the pope
Rebellion began on Whit Monday - day after prayer book was introduced
Henry VIIII became more Catholic towards his death - Katherine Howard was associated with Catholicism/catholic factions
Religious demands made by the rebels during the Western Rebellion
“Every preacher in his sermon…pray especially by name for the sould in purgatory as our forefathers did”
3. “We will have masse in Latin”
8. “Procession in Latin not English”
12. Cardinal Pole - return from Rome and be promoted - (essentially restore the pope to their former position of authority in England)
Who led the Western Rebellion and why is this significant religiously?
Robert Welsh - priest
What actions did the rebels do during the Western Rebellion that can be considered religious?
Marched under the 5 wounds of christ,
reportedly destroyed prayer books
What was Somerset known as? (socio-economic causes of western)
“Commonwealth man” - believed that wealthy landlords were a problem and had a responsibility to look after the poor (paternalism)
What did Somerset do to “help the poor”?
Introduced anti enclosure commissions - prevented greedy landlords from enclosing land and helped the poor in the North
Introduced a poll tax on sheep to prevent farmers from converting arable land to farm sheep
What did Exeter town council do?
Gave hundreds to the civilians to prevent them from joining the rebels - may suggest Exeter town council believed the rebellion was economic in nature
How long did the Western Rebellion last?
10 weeks - combined forces from Cornwall and Devon
Why did the weather increase the seriousness of the Western Rebellion?
Good conditions for a rebellion - began in June ended in August, had the potential to become a camping rebellion
Why did the timing of the Western Rebellion make it more serious?
During a period of minority rule
Took place alongside Kett’s rebellion (split government attention) - year of commotion/year of the many headed monster
Franco-Scottish threat
Was the Western Rebellion Somerset’s full priority?
No, took place alongside Kett’s rebellion as well as the Franco-Scottish threat
Did military success make Western rebellion serious?
no, failed to capture Exeter after 6 weeks of trying
What about the Western rebellion’s leadership made it less threatening?
Priest Robert Welsh + Sir Humphrey Arundell (wealthy farmer) - neither had many resources or military experience
Why did the Western Rebellion’s size and support make it not serious?
5000-6000 men - far smaller than POG - overwhelmingly a peasant rising
Support: provincial - limited ambitions/no national scale outside of Devon + Cornwall
Was Western Rebellion able to take Exeter?
Layed siege to Exeter for 2 weeks however were unable to take it - lacked military expertise
Evidence the government response to the Western Rebellion was effective
Decisive victory for the government at Sampford Courtenay (4000 rebels killed)
Evidence the government response to the Western Rebellion was ineffective
Somerset had “hopelessly inadequate information”
Lord Russell’s forces were inadequate (Fenny Bridges + Clyst St Mary)
Devonshire JPs lacked the confidence to oppose the rebels
Why was the choice of Carew as government representative bad?
Known Evangelical (extreme protestant) - Carew burnt the rebel barns at Crediton (rebels were initially open to negotiation however now felt backed into a corner to fight) - Carew was later reprimanded for his provocative action)
Why did the location of the Western Rebellion make it especially hard to squish?
There was a power vacuum in Cornwall - the Courtenay’s were removed from power under Henry VIII which meant there were no local nobility to help suppress the rebellion
What did Somerset consider the Western Rebellion as?
A local issue
Why was Somerset’s series of proclamations a poor way of dealing with the rebellion?
11th July, Somerset announced that those who did not disperse would be forced to forfeit their lands (attempt to create terror)
12th July, Somerset agreed to pardon any guilty of “riotous assembly” if they made a “humble submission”
16th July, another proclamation pardoned submissive rioters but future rioters were threatened with martial law
- inconsistent approach towards rebels
