Agrarian discontent- Kett's Rebellion 1549

Question 1

Impact of Enclosure

Answer 1

Loss of common grazing land- provided manure for crops, harder to grow food- food shortages

Inflation & unemployment rose

Took away living and farming spaces

Rise in cost of wool / cloth

Rather than strip farming- everything dependent on one plot

Rack renting- force people out

Loss of housing

Question 2

Socio-economic causes (Not enclosure)

Answer 2

Debasement of the coinage

Population Growth

Question 3

Role of Somerset

Answer 3

Attempts to alleviate problems caused by enclosure
Took action agaisnt illegal enclosure
protected copyholders on his estate
Illegally gave order to destroy enclosures- appointed Hale to investigate

Failures
opposed by landlords
common people became frustrated that it wasn’t solved
gentry alienated

Question 4

Aims / Legitimacy

Answer 4

Unhappy with enclosure, rack renting, slavery
Somersets attempts at reform pushed the poor towards wanting more
Kett only joined because people were blaming him
6% of people owned 60% of land & goods in Norwich

Question 5

Geography / Timing

Answer 5

Mousehold heath- strong strategic position
Only entry to Norwich through gates on a river
Well protected
easy to guard due to city wall

Same year as prayer book rebellion in cornwall, gov had to split resources

Question 6

Scale / Nature of support

Answer 6

Localised rebellion
poor / common support
Kett- Gentry- helped so the commons didn’t turn against him
multiple camps
16,000 men

Question 7

Military successes / failures

Answer 7

Strengths
Held mousehold heath
stole weapons from Warwick
destroyed Flowerdew’s enclosures
Mayor / council provided with support
Weakness
Men not very well trained
Moved to Dussindale- 3,000 died

Question 8

Leadership - Kett

Answer 8

Strengths
Lead / organised rebels
Influence over locals
Money
Weaknesses
Ordered men to Dussindale where 3,000 were killed

Question 9

Leadership - Somerset

Answer 9

Strengths
Wanted non-violent end to rebellion, convinced rebels to take pardon
brought parliament forward a month
Weaknesses
Sat on fence- scared of losing his job
failed promises
replaced by warwick

Question 10

Leadership - Warwick

Answer 10

Strong military leader
Cautious start
prepared to negotiate
brutal
offered pardons
well equipped (Had willing German & Swiss Merecenaries)
killed ~ 3,000 rebels to his 40 losses

Question 11

Repression