Kett's Rebellion Flashcards
(19 cards)
What year was the Kett’s Rebellion?
1549
Duration of the rebellion
June to November 1549
Who was the leader?
Commons rebellion led by Robert Kett, a Norfolk yeoman
Main causes?
Enclosure.
Kett’s rebels were heartened after the Heartfordshire riot by royal commission looking into the problem and thought they were supported by government in acting against enclosures.
Subsidiary causes?
The character and stubbornness of Somerset
Poor quality of local government – failed to clamp down on enclosure
Class antagonism
Economic problems in general with inflation and rising rent.
What was the degree of threat? Why?
High
Disorder was widespread - 20 rebel camps and 16 rebel petitions
Heightened threat as the rebellion was allowed to assemble
Attacked Norwhich - second biggest to London
Lasted five months in the summer months
What starting cause meant the Kett Rebellion was weaker?
There was no communication or planning between different groups.
The rebels had local grievances and the rebellions were put down one by one, often by local rather than central government forces.
Where did Kett lead the rebels after becoming the leader?
Assemble as many commons as possible and march on Norwich – then the second largest city in the country after London.
He set up camp on Mousehold Heath outside the walls and discontented commons flocked there. Caused other rebel camps to pop up.
Why was the summer general disorder a problem for the government?
They struggled to pinpoint and take down resistance.
How many supporters were there in the Mousehold Heath camp alone?
16,000
What happened at Mousehold Heath Camp?
A set of demands were written up which focused more on social issues (enclosure) and economic issues (inflation, rising rent). However 7/16 articles were about religion.
What happened by late July?
The rebels felt strong enough to attack Norwich, and a general assault by men armed with pitchforks and spears took the city.
What did the Marquis of Northampton do?
Bring an army of Italian mercenaries which enraged Kett.
Only 20 took his surrender offer.
A day later, conflict broke out between the two and the rebels won. Marquis fled back to London.
What did the Marquis of Northampton’s loss mean?
Started a full scale rebellion
How long did it take for the government to take action after Northampton’s loss?
A month
How many was in the large governments army?
12,000 English levies and a further 1000 mercenaries
What was Kett’s fatal mistake?
Moving his force to a less well defended position at Dussindale
How did the rebellion end?
A calvary charge which overrun the camp. Killed 3000.
300 condemned to death, including Kett and his brother
Reason for rebellion failure
Although 25 counties saw disturbances, London remained entirely loyal to the crown
Kett failed to hold back the rebels. The government was willing to negotiate with protestors but felt it had to treat outright rebels harshly. The attack on Norwich was the point where the rebellion became treason.
