rebellions of 1549 (western and kett)

Causes of the western rebellion 1549

Main cause was religous opposition, particularly because of the new book of common prayer by Cranmer in 1549 and their aim to restore catholic practices and doctrine e.g. purgatory and transubstantiation, the rebellion was also caused by social conflict as many rebels believed the gentry were exploiting the system and opposed enclosure (this is evident not when the rebels shouted “kill the gentlemen” at Bodmin), and aswell economic hardships (poverty, rising prices etc) fueled unrest due to desperation

Evidence the western rebellion was a threat

Contextually, this happened when England was being invaded by France meaning they were strained on resources and troops, and additionally the other economical and social grievances throughout edwards reign along with him being a minor made it difficult to overcome the challenge of unrest. Aswell at this time there was other rebellions such as ketts making it difficult to manage shown through somersets removal and lack of support after this time. Throughout the rebellion, the rebels made aggressive demands showing the underlining opposition there was to the Edwardian reforms and the rebels took a number of battles to finally be defeated e.g. Fenty bridges, clyst st Mary , and clyst health. The government needing to execute over 3000 rebels shows it had a major impact

Evidence the western rebellion wasn’t a threat

The aim of the rebellions as not to overthrow Edward suggesting it wasn’t a threat to stability of the monarchy rather simply away of showing they wanted religous change. Additionally rebels never advanced near London (near the monarch) and it remained a localised rebellion rather than widespread, they failed to take the regional capital (Exeter) and the rebellions as ultimately defeated showing that long-term it wasn’t a threat. Additionally they opposed the gentry, so by not having support of gentry and nobles, the rebellion lacked finance and power making it more likly top have lacked organisation and resources + they refused to co-operate with other risings

What were the causes of the ketts rebellion

Agricultural demands, particularly enclosure, as the rebels were frustrated by those enclosing the land and the gentry’s abuse of the system, possibly encouraged by somersets enclosure commissions in 1548 as believed they had government support , additionally economic hardship fueled the rebellion and their was religous concerns since the rebels wanted further reforms

Evidence the ketts rebellion was seroius

Similar context to western rebellion, stretche dof resourced due to invasion from France and economic hardships at the time, along with Edward’s minority making it difficult to manager unrest. During the rebellion kett was able to gather huge amount of rebels (16000 men) and they were actually able to seize Norwich, this shows the sheer size and organisation demonstarating how the opposition had popular support and by seizing a prominent, large city in England it directly challenged authority and represents the breakdown of social order. The government needing to kill 3000 rebels and also having to send an additional force under Northumberland due to an initial failed attempt, shows the governments potential struggle to defeat the rebellion

Evidence the ketts rebellion wasn’t a serious threat

The rebels didn’t march towards London and their aim wasn’t to overthrow or remove Edward, suggesting it didn’t threaten stability of the monarchy. Additionally during the rebellion once ketts rebels moved from mousehealth to dunsindale they were massacred and ultimately defeated (this massacre reflects the authority of Edward and his government suggesting they had power over the opposition), finally it didn’t have support of gentry or noblemen implying it lacked influential figures to provide support, power and finance to the rebellion