Kett Flashcards
What was the context of this rebellion?.
. New religious reforms under Somerset
.Declining power of the church perhaps, due to POG - idea that people no longer ruled by the power of the church, which can be seen in the demands for social change
. Social grievances due to monastic closure as a result of POG - population increased by 15%, food prices up by 50%, and churches no longer providing food nor shelter, with context of enclosures/rack renting, and importance of sheep farming (46 of the gentry owned 60% of the land)
. Lack of unified Privy council , and somerset sought to aid rebels and help in demands- appeasment
. 27 rebellions at once across the country, possible war with Scotland, divided council, and Somerset
. increasing social disparity, and with church influence falling , commons increasingly moved to act upon this - eg. impartial justice - in 1540s, landowners attempted to take gentry to court for enclosing land but failed , and 46 gentry owning 60 % of the land - more so important given the importance of wool trading, and enclosing land which sheep grazed
Somerset had ordered an enclosure commission in 1548, yet this had fallen through and had not happened
what were the aims of the rebels and what is evidence to support this ?
. close the gap between gentry and commons - class war seen in : . commons kidnapping gentry, and using them as front line defences in battle , humiliating gentry by setting up own courts and finding them guilty when put on trial, chased and imprioned rodger woodhouse , siezed mayor Codd
.stop enclosure and rack renting - wool trade importance and rising food prices - reintroduction of full tenant rights:
. 17/29 demands were focused on enclosure and rent , namely abolishing enclosure, and making rent accessible to the commons , and also one demand was to limit the power of the gentry, and limit economic change
. stopping corruption in government and the church - Somerset character, and his sizing of power, as well as the new protestant church , and the use of the middle way, which may have encouraged radical religious rebellion, as did not favour Catholicism not Protestantism
what is the narrative of the rebellion?
( has beginnings at St Thomas Church in wydonham, during a festival, when news of religious disturbance is relayed to the commons - importance of church in news lessening )
. Rebels begin to tear down Robert Kett’s fences and Robert Kett listens to rebel grievances and marches to Norwich , to Mouse hold Heath, where grievances are layed out
what kind of support did the rebels have and what was the leadership like ?
. 16000 commons across east anglia, and support from lesser gentry, such as , clergy such as Thomas Conyers who led twice a day prayers at tree of reformation
. Robert Kett, who was a yeoman and landowner - was coordinated and effective leader, and knew how to maintain rebel support - set up government , which included administration and courts, where rebel grievances could be heard, and tree of reformation aptly named where council meetings were held, but also included religious aspect - tree of reformation where Thomas Conyers held twice a daily prayers
what kind of rebellion was this and what evidence ?
. Class war - new court where gentry tried, Mayor Codd imprisoned, and officials murdered, Gentry humiliated in courts, Thomas Gawdy tied to front lines as human shields, and Roger Woodhouse was chased out and imprisoned , an italian gentry caught and hanged from city walls BUT only violent when royal forces came into city
. Non-dynastic - rebellion began when somerset gave orders for 3 commisions following Herefordshire riots , rebels took this as permission to tear down fences, and therefore could be suggested that were loyal to government to begin with, and Kett persuaded them of the need for government reform on a wider scale
what are examples of intimidation and fear used ?
.Holding and humiliating gentry in new courts set up, where they were often tried, and found guilty of crimes of grievances due to commons
, capturing roger woodhouse, and mayor codd, murdering italian mercenary and hanging off city walls, and holding thomas gawdy in chains and using as a human shield
.Using guerrilla warfare in Norwich and capturing it twice , able to ambush royal forces, and keep Warwick in the city when he arrived to respond
what increased the threat of the rebellion?
use of fear and intimidation
. Kett’s good leadership skills - could be argued that Kett persuaded the rebels to fight for reform in government - evidence of commission etc suggests that rebels may not have rebelled at full had Kett not suggested it , and had councillors from rebel regions to represent the council at meetings , maintenance of discipline - taking oath of non violence -, taking food at night , rebels using guerilla warfare and setting fire to Norwich
. Somerset’s determination to ‘do the people right’, may have lessened response, and weakened it eg. first royal response sent to Norwhich under Marquis of Dorset, and warwick , both of whom failed, until the third attempt
.Somersets divided council due to the middle way policy,and dislike of Somerset seizing power
. Tactic to push Marquis to edge of city, after being told that the rebels wanted a pardon (which was false), whereupon rebels were able to enter the city as a result of the diversion, and ambush the royal forces and kill Sheffield, and force MOD to retreat
. The Howard family had fallen and no gentry willing to oppose rebels
what was the government response ?
. Marquis of Dorset sent with 1400 men including italian mercenaries to attempt to negotiate with rebels - Kett was warned by rebels not to negotiate, and a pardon was rejected - this may have been to but government time to respond, - re
. Warwick sent to defeat the rebels with 14000 men including italian and welsh mercenaries, and managed to force them to mousehold heath, but was trapped in Norwich due to the city being sieged
. Northhampton arrived with 1400 extra men and rebels come down to lower ground , and Battle of Dussindale occured
. Mathew Parker, Archbishop Cranmer, Robert Watson sent to appease rebels, but chased out
.
what reduced the threat of rebellion ?
. Kett dissuaded from holding private negotiation with Marquis of Dorset , giving time for government response
. Not enough armour, or artillery - Kett had gotten artillery of the South Coast but this had run out
. 14000 Royal forces including at least 1400 mercenaries, under bot Northampton, Warwick and MOD who were experienced tacticians
Outnumbered and Out-armed by government forces
. Kett moved of Household heath which lost rebel vantage point and advantage at Dussindale
