Western Rebellion

Question 1

Causes of the Western Rebellion?

Answer 1

1. Religious Factors:
   - Sparked by introduction of Prayer Book.
   - Hatred of Protestant reforms.
   - J. Loach: “Religion was, clearly, the main driving force of the risings.”
   - Fletcher argues the manifesto was hijacked by priests.
2. Political Factors:
   - Want the the Six Articles back.
   - No changes to Henry’s laws until Edward comes of age.
   - Cardinal Pole pardoned and given more influence.
3. Social Factors:
   - Mistrust of local Protestant gentry. Murder of William Body.
   - “Kyll all gentlemen.”
   - Prayer Book in English not Kernow.
   - Want to limit the number of servants gentry are allowed.
4. Economic Factors:
   - Food prices too high.
   - Inflation.
   - Sheep tax.
   - More prominent in early drafts of manifesto.

Question 2

What does Loach say about the Western Rebellion?

Answer 2

“Religion was, clearly, the main driving force of the risings.”

Question 3

What does Fletcher say about the Western Rebellion?

Answer 3

The manifesto was hijacked by priests as they were literate.

Question 4

What factors made the Western Rebellion a threat? (6 points.)

Answer 4

1. The government was slow to respond, as the army was preoccupied by the Scottish War.
2. Russell’s army was small, so he was conciliatory rather than aggressive.
3. Cornwall = Hard to reach or receive information from.
4. Popular and spread quickly. Grew to 10,000 members..
5. Able to attack Exeter for six weeks.
6. Noble leader: Humphrey Arundell.

Question 5

What factors made the Western Rebellion less of a threat? (6 points.)

Answer 5

1. Don’t want to overthrow Edward, just limit Somerset’s influence.
2. Peasants rather than gentry/nobility.
3. Poorly-equipped - no seige weapons.
4. Occurred far away from London.
5. Exeter remained loyal to the Crown.
6. Other regions felt no real affiliation to the rebels.