Prayer Book / Western rebellion 1549

western rebellion key events details and responses from govt

Where was the western rebellion

Cornwall and Devon

When did the Western Rebellion Start

10 June 1549

Who were the leaders of the western rebellion

Humphry Arondell and Aaron Bush

What were the trigger causes of the western rebellion

church commisioner William Body’s inconoclasm during inspections

Introduction of the New prayer book on 10 June - Samford Courtenay Villagers didnt want it

What was the predominenet religion of the cornwall and devon area

Predominantly catholic - didnt like the new protestant reforms eg iconoclasm and prayer book

Where was their main base

Bodmin - the largest town in the area - 1,000 inhabitants

What were the 3 long term causes of the Western rebellion

Sheep and cloth taxes and rumours of a further rise

Increased food prices

Religious aspects and protestant reform

What was listed in the Western rebel demands

Reintroduction of Six articles from Henry

latin instead of english bible and sermons

Communion in One kind

return of mass and prayers for the dead

decrease taxes of cloth and sheep

What happened to William Body

a group gathered and attacked and killed him in Helston

What was the issue in Samford Courtenay

villagers rebelled because of their priests use of the new prayer book

convinced the priest to deliver a catholic sermon

the early steps of the western rebellion

the protestors assembled in Bodmin and came under the leadership of Arundell

Samford Courtney protestors joined them on the 20 June

What was the first local response

local gentleman Hellier attempted to settle the rebels in devon but ended up getting hacked to pieces

When did Carew go to meet the rebels

21 June

How successful was Carew

very unsuccessful - only aggravated the situation after servant lit a barn on fire causing violence

ended up fleeing to london

How far had the rebels got by 23 June

up to the walls of Exeter and then to Clyst St Mary

What was Somersets situation like at the time of this rebellion

had many issues including war with France, Scotland and enclosure riots in Midlands so had limited resources

Who did Somerset send to respond to the rebels

Lord Russell with a small army

Who was Lord Russell

a catholic member of the council

What did somerset order Russell to do

find a peaceful settlement and sent him with a conciliatory response to the demands

When was Russell sent to deal with the rebels

29 June

How long did Russell spend deliberating with the rebels

6 weeks

What was the response from the Exeter people during this time

citizens were very loyal to the crown and defended the city staunchly for 6 weeks

when did Russel make his final attempt to reach a settlement

8th July

Who was sent to help Lord Russell

Lord Grey and his army from Oxfordhsire

when was lord Grey supposed to arrive

12 July but they were delayed by rebellion in oxford

when did lord grey actually arrive

3rd August

Where did the confrontations between the rebels and Russell happen

Fenny Bridge

Clyst St Mary

Clyst Heath

What happened on 6th August

Russell relieved Exeter and more government forces arrived

what happened on 8th August that caused Somerset to push Russell to end conflict

France declared war

When did Russell finally defeat rebel forces

16th August

How many rebels were killed overall

3,000

What happened to the priest Robert Welsh

hung at the gallows erected at his church tower dressed in his vestments with holy water bucked and other catholic items

Why were some still angry with the govt afterwards

Govt forces had acted illegally and executed many without trials

confiscated and redistributed property