Western Rebellion Flashcards
Why was there a rising in Devon and Cornwall?
-This rebellion has traditionally been called the prayer book rebellion suggesting that the rebellion was motivated
-Religious tension during the time
Who was William Body and what happened to him?
-in 1547 William Body, a local archdeacon (senior clergy position) and protestant sympathiser had been attacked-> returned in 1548 to supervise the destruction of images->murdered at Helston
What were the causes of the rebellion? (3)
-mainly religious but things like wheat prices going up, inflation and chanties being destroyed caused tensions to rise
-wanted to restore purgatory and transubstantiation->resentment due to the new Common Prayer book
-enclosures
What were the events of the rebellion in summary?
-William Body arrived to oversee destruction of images in Cornwall
->he was murdered->10 people hung->caused resentment
-prayer book introduced->riots in Bodmin under Arundell
-in Devon people rebelled due to new service being introduced->joined Arundell
-rebels captured Exeter->led to a siege over 6 weeks
-August->government forces relieved Exeter and the royal army defeated the rebels
Who did Somerset send? What happened as a result of this?
-Carew
-made things worse and accidentally burnt barns
Who replaced Carew? With a force of…?
-Russel
-force of 100
The western rebellion took place because…
people in poverty were angered by the new common prayer book and all the changes being made as Cornwall and Devon were very catholic
The western rebellion took place but…
it was defeated by the army in late August
The western rebellion took place so…
the government had to respond by executing the people involved
What religion was Devon and Cornwall?
very Catholic
How powerful and effective was the leadership?
-It was powerful until the decision about Exeter was organised
-Lack of support from nobles->poor leadership->not able to rally
Did the rebels aim to depose the monarch?
no
How widespread was support in England?
-Support of 6000 but confined to west country
-no support from Exeter
Did the rebels plan have a chance of success?
yes if they marched on London
What was the government’s reaction?
-Didn’t move quickly->Carew replaced by Russell
-never going to give in over religion
