Causes and Nature of the Western Rebellion (1549)
Causes of the Western Rebellion:
• The Western Rebellion, 1549, is otherwise known as the Prayer Book Rebellion,
suggesting it was religiously motivated
• Event’s beforehand suggest there was religious tensions:
o William Body was murdered at Helston in 1548 when he returned to supervise the
destruction of images
• However, the revolt was ill-focused, and religion provided the focus needed
• Agitation was also due to economic and social discontent including:
o Inflation – led to homelessness and poverty
o Population rise, poor harvests, sheep and cloth tax (1548)
o Enclosures
o Concerns of gentry gaining Church land after the dissolution of the monasteries
• However, people were also concerned by religious change
Events of the Western Rebellion:
• Demands were written by priests (suggesting superficial religious motivation and lack of
knowledge from rebels). Included:
o Restoration of Catholic doctrines and practices e.g. transubstantiation and
purgatory
o Mass in Latin
o A ban on the English Bible
o Declaration of Somerset’s alteration to religion as illegitimate given Edward’s age
• In Somerset and Bristol, mobs tore down fences and hedges that enclosed pastureland
(indication of land grievances)
• The Western Rebellion grew out of these riots in Cornwall and Devon, and a full-scale
rebellion ensued by mid-June
• The rebels showed their dislike of the local gentry:
o Gentry were attacked and robbed at St Michael’s Mount
o At Bodmin they shouted ‘Kill the gentlemen’
o William Hellyons murdered (local member of gentry)
o Attacked Trematon Castle
• Rebels laid siege to Exeter, where the mayor provided poor relief, food and firewood
• There was no attempt to march towards London to protest their grievances – instead
the rebels brought the South-West to a standstill and waited for the government to come
to them
• Government reaction:
o News of the rebellion travelled slowly, and Somerset underestimated the seriousness
of the situation at first
o They sent a force under Lord John Russel
15
, o It was difficult for the government to respond quickly due to foreign policy and other
uprisings in the East
Effects of the Western Rebellion:
• 3000 rebels were killed, and further retribution followed
• Threatened a complete breakdown of government in the region
• Highlighted slow response of government
• Did not change policy in religion nor enclosures, but shook government
• Gave those who did not like Somerset a chance to attack his leadership
Causes and Nature of the Kett Rebellion (1549)
Causes of the Kett Rebellion:
• The Kett rebellion was led by Robert Kett, 1549
• Widespread economic and social problems including:
o A bad harvest
o Rapid price rises
o Mistaken belief government ministers were profiteering from situation in the absence
of a strong king
o Local lawyer John Flowerdew had bought local abbey church and begun to enclose
the land
Events of the Kett Rebellion:
• Demands were written by Kett and included
o Agricultural demands – concerns about enclosures, particularly saffron grounds,
gentry abuse of foldcourse system, overstocking of common land
o Economic concerns – rising rent, price rises
o Social grievances – gentry’s manipulation of local government
o Religious concerns – wanted better preachers and further reform (Kett’s rebels were
in support of religious changes and wanted more)
• Although Flowerdew tried to turn rebels against Kett, Kett quickly gathered 16,000 men
and marched to Norwich and set up camp on Mousehold Heath
• The rebels were offered a pardon, but this failed to disperse them
• Rebels seized Norwich
• Government reaction:
o Troops were sent under the Marquis of Northampton, but he was defeated
o Instead, Northumberland was sent
Effects of the Kett Rebellion:
• Forces led by Dudley massacred the rebels at Dussindale, killing around 3000 – led to
resentment, causing more support for Mary in East Anglia (her main base)
• Kett was hanged for treason, but rebels were treated leniently
• Threatened a complete breakdown of government in the region
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