Edward VI- Kett's rebellion

Question 1

socio-economic causes- enclosure

Answer 1

• enclosure deprived commoners of access to common land –> loss of jobs, evictions
• loss of common grazing land –> reduced food production, no manure for crops

Question 2

socio-economic causes- population growth

Answer 2

• 1525: 2.3 million –> 1551: 3 million
• increased demand for jobs, housing and food
• urban migration due to rural displacement

Question 3

socio-economic causes- economic problems

Answer 3

• debasement of coinage –> inflation, unstable trade
• rack-renting: landlords increased rents, forcing evictions
• engrossing: merging farms, displacing tenants

Question 4

socio-economic causes- industry and agriculture

Answer 4

• cloth industry instability –> unemployment in East Anglia
• fold closure: landlords used common land for sheep farming
• Bad harvests (1545, 1549) increased food shortages and grain prices

Question 5

political causes- Somerset’s policies

Answer 5

• Somerset blamed enclosures for economic problems
• appointed John Hales to investigate enclosures (1547)
• Vagrancy Act 1547: branded vagrants, allowed slavery for 2 years
• Somerset’s illegal enclosure destruction angered gentry

Question 6

religious causes

Answer 6

• dissolution of monasteries removed charity and alms for the poor
• increased hardship for the lower classes

Question 7

preconditions

Answer 7

• widespread socio-economic hardship
• ineffective government response to enclosure
• collapse of monastic network

Question 8

catalysts

Answer 8

• Somerset’s commissions into enclosures
• rising rents, population growth, and unemployment
• Vagrancy Act increased tension

Question 9

triggers

Answer 9

• illegal enclosure destruction by Somerset’s commissioners
• growing anger towards local government siding with landlords

Question 10

aims/legitimacy

Answer 10

• restore access to common land
• protests against local government favouring wealthy landlords
• legitimate grievances over enclosure and survival

Question 12

leadership- Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset

Answer 12

• initially sympathetic, offered pardon
• failed to suppress rebellion early
• his mixed actions confused both rebels and authorities

Question 13

leadership- John Dudley, Earl of Warwick

Answer 13

• experienced military commander
• cut off Kett’s supplies, weakened rebels
• successfully crushed the rebellion and restored order

Question 14

level of support

Answer 14

• strong support among Norfolk commoners
• some cooperation from local authorities (e.g. Carlton Coalville churchwardens)
• no foreign support or backing from outside East Anglia

Question 15

military capability

Answer 15

• 16,000 poorly trained rebels
• financial support from local donations
• fought bravely but defeated by professional army