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Rebellion 3 - Kett's Rebellion 1549 - Coggle Diagram
Rebellion 3 - Kett's Rebellion 1549
Causes
context
'tudor england was an unequal society, and gloried in that fact' (Guy)
the new king edward was 11 at the time, so Lord Protector Somerset ruled but was unpopular, causing factions in the court
enclosure
the fencing of land to increase the wealth of landlords and yeomen, slowly eradicating communal land
socially, this destroyed traditional ways of life and created tension between rich landowners and poor peasants
enclosure was about wool farming - less jobs for peasants than arable farming and less food produced, causing inflation
increased inequality and vagrancy
socio-economic
population increase - 2.3 million in 1525 - 3million by 1551
poor harvests in 1545 and 1549
debasement of coinage due to cost of war, increasing inflation
price increases, approx. 300% from 1500 to 1550
politcal causes
somerset hated the enclosure of land, passing private law on his own estates and launching a commission
Somerset ploughed up many enclosures, including some on Duke of Norfolk's land
peasants believed he was on their side, 'Good Duke'
religious causes
reformation in full swing and many saw that society itself needed a 'reformation'
the centre of their rebellion camp was around a tree called the Oak of Reformation
Stages
norwich
second largest city and important administrative centre
huge inequality (6% owned 60%)
a power vacuum
if they could take norwich they could basically take london
Kett's Demands
'a shopping list of demands' articulating 'a desire to limit the power of the gentry...constrain rapid economic change...prevent the overexploitation of communal resources'
Events
on way to norwich, rebels tear down enclosures and then set up camp of 16,000 at mousehold heath, before storming the city
somerset sent pardon to the rebels but this was angrily refused, so sends 1500 under william parr, with italian mercenaries
Parr took Norwich and rebels retreated, but came back next day and took city again
somerset then sent the earl of warwick, with 12,000 men, who took norwich after days of street fighting and another 1000 men sent (total 13,000)
kett panics and flees to a camp at Dussindale, where Warwick's army destroyed him, 3000 men killed for 200 of Warwick's men
Consequences
somerset replaced by warwick due to his 'softness, your opinion to be good to the poor'
Somerset remained for centuries as the 'good Duke' whilst Warwick was the 'Wicked Duke'
enclosure continued over the next few centuries and common land virtually disappeared
a rise of poverty over next 50 years
Threat
Military
the government was already under pressure from the Western Rising, religious rebellion in Devon and Cornwall. France had also declared war
rebels able to seize Norwich twice and defeat Parr, showing tactical awareness to retreat and then attack again
quite a large force of 16,000
yet, were poorly equipped with scythes and were still beaten by 13,000
the rebels were largely defensive and did not march on London
Warwick was a strong military commander with many prior victories in scotland, his decision to cut the supply line panicked K
Support
rebellion was large with 16,000 rebels at Mousehold Heath
rebels believed they had the support of Somerset, meaning they remained peaceful initially
the rebels demands were large and sweeping, perhaps alienating some local noblemen who otherwise may have supported
Leadership
organised and able to run a large camp
the Duke of Norfolk was in prison for treason, leaving a power vacuum. Gov forced to rely on non-local leaders
However, kett not an experienced military leader and his mistakes led to massacre at Dussindale
the governemnt were able to send a professional army, 13,000 total led by Warwick, greatest military commander
the government were strong, able to conduct wars against France and Scotland whilst still putting down two rebellions