Edward VI - The Western Rebellion

What were Cornwall's social and religious attitudes?

Socially and religiously conservative

Why did Cornwall have a vigorous sense of regional identity?

It had its own language and its geographical location was at the edge of the country

What was Cornwall's economy heavily reliant on?

Meagre profits from tin-mining in Bodmin

Who was William Body?:

A commissioner investigating Church property in the county in 1547

What actions did Body take?

His investigation into the chantries caused rumours about the confiscation of Church goods, and he destroyed Church images

What did a group in Helston do in response to Body's investigation?

They murdered him

When was the new Prayer Book introduced?

10th June 1549

How did the people of Sampford Courtenay in Devon react when their priest used the new Prayer book?

They were provoked into rebellion

Where did the protesters assemble?

They assembled in Bodmin

Who became the leader of the rebellion?

Humphrey Arundell

Where did the crowd march to after creating a list of articles?

Devon

What did the people of Sampford Courtenay do?

The rebels persuaded the priest to deliver a traditional Catholic mass

When did the people of Sampford Courtenay move to join the rebel forces in Crediton?

20th June

Who attempted to calm the rebels in Devon and what happened as a result?

A gentleman called Hellier tried to calm the rebels and was hacked to pieces

How did Sir Peter Carew act?

He rode to meet the combined force at Crediton on 21st June

Why did Sir Peter Carew fail?

He was a known Protestant and his meeting with the rebels nearly ended with violence when one of his servants accidentally set fire to a barn

Where did Sir Peter Carew flee to?

London

Where did the rebel army move to after the meeting with Sir Peter Carew?

They moved up the walls of Exeter and then to Clyst St. Mary on 23rd June

What was the first government response to the rebellion?

On 29th June, Somerset urged Lord Russell to find a peaceful settlement and wrote a conciliatory response to the rebel demands

Why was Russell at a disadvantage?

He was only provided with a small army by Somerset and hence avoided confronting the rebels

For how long did the citizens of Exeter defend their city from attack?

6 weeks

When did Russell make his last attempt to reach a settlement with the rebels?

8th July

When did Russell begin his advance against the rebels under pressure from Somerset?

28th July

When did the forces of Lord Grey assist Russell?

3rd August

Where did confrontations between the rebels and government forces take place?

Fenny Bridges, Clyst St Mary and Clyst Heath

When did Russell relieve Exeter from attack?

6th August

When did reinforcements under Sir William Herbert arrive?

6th August

When were the rebels defeated and where?

16th August at Sampford Courtenay

How many people were killed in the rebellion?

3000

Who was killed as the leader of the rebllion?

Robert Welsh, the vicar of the Church of St. Thomas was hanged on the gallows erected on his Church tower

Why did the government reaction increase hostility?

They executed without trials and confiscated and redistributed property