Rebellions of 1549

Western Rebellion

1549 - major uprising in Cornwall

Against Edwardian Reformation

Sparked by the Book of Common Prayer

Led by Humphrey Arundell

Western Rebellion - Causes

Protestant reforms alienated Catholic Cornwall

Between 1547-9 - wheat prices quadrupled

William Body’s inspections caused fear of the confiscation of church goods

1549 - 5% on Sheep tax created fear that it could extend to other livestock

Western Rebellion - Trigger

1549 - Act of Uniformity made Latin rites illegal

Priest at Sampford Courtenay forced to preach English Mass

Western Rebellion - Events

Rebels assembled and sieged Exeter for 6 weeks

Somerset underestimated revolt - Lord Russell sent with small force

Reinforcements arrived - 8,000 mercenaries crushed rebels at Sampford Courtenay

Over 5,500 deaths, including 3,000 in battle

Western Rebellion - Consequences

Strengthened anti-English sentiment in Cornwall

Somerset’s credibility fatally damaged

Western Rebellion - Why important

Largest Tudor rebellion since the Pilgrimage of Grace (1536)

Revealed deep regional and religious divisions

Forced Somerset to divert troops from Scotland and France

Contributed directly to Somerset’s downfall

High death toll, but did not threaten monarchy

Kett’s Rebellion

1549 - uprising in Norfolk

Led by Robert Kett

Protested enclosure abuses

Centred at Mousehold Heath

Kett’s Rebellion - Causes

Enclosure of common land + excessively high rent

Demolition of abbey by lawyer John Flowerdew

Collapse of textile trade left thousands unemployed

Kett’s Rebellion - Events

16k rebels camped at Mousehold Heath

Produced 29 Articles demanding social reform

Duke of Northumberland arrived with 12,000 men and German mercenaries

Battle of Dussindale - rebellion defeated + Kett captured

Kett’s Rebellion - Consequences

Kett hanged at Norwich Castle

Exposed Somerset’s weakness Northumberland’s success made him Protector

Highlighted failure of enclosure commissions

Kett’s Rebellion - Why important

Showed disillusionment with Somerset’s social policy

Politically fatal to Somerset

Caused the rise of Northumberland