mid tudor crisis- rebellion and unrest Flashcards
(8 cards)
socioecon problems under edward VI
Socio-economic Problems
Enclosure:
Landlords enclosed common land, limiting access for villagers.
Common in areas with sheep farming.
In 1548-1549, Protector Somerset established commissions under John Hales to investigate.
Landowners resisted cooperation, leading to several proclamations to reduce enclosure.
Somerset’s Financial Crisis:
Spent £1,356,000 on wars with France and Scotland.
Sold £800,000 worth of Crown lands and borrowed £50,000 annually for the royal household.
Financial difficulties inherited from Henry VIII, with little Somerset could do to avoid them.
Inflation:
Prices rose steadily from 1500, accelerating in the 1540s (prices 150% higher by 1546).
Caused by Henry VIII’s debasement of coinage and continued under Somerset.
Population growth increased demand for food, while large landowners preferred more profitable wool production.
Population Growth:
England’s population increased from 2.3 million (1525) to 3 million (1551).
The population structure changed, with more dependent children unable to contribute to food production.
Rise in Poverty:
Rapid population growth and inflation caused increased poverty.
Wages failed to keep up with price rises.
Six failed harvests (1547-1558) worsened poverty.
Dissolution of the Monasteries removed previous relief for the poor.
A depression in the cloth trade led to unemployment.
Rack-renting: Landlords increased rents, worsening conditions for peasants.
government legislation under edward to combat socio econ problems
Government Responses and Laws
Vagrancy Act (1547):
Increased poverty led to higher crime rates, raising government concern for public order.
Made able-bodied people out of work for more than 3 days criminals, to be branded and sold into slavery for 2 years.
Children of vagrants could be taken and forced into apprenticeships.
Act was unpopular and poorly enforced by local authorities.
Public Order Proclamations (1548):
Government focused more on law and order than solving economic issues.
Football and other activities were banned as they led to riots.
Spreading rumors became a criminal offense to prevent unrest.
Unlawful assemblies were forbidden, with offenders sent to work on galleys (warships).
Causes of the Western Rebellion:
Causes of the Western Rebellion:
1548: William Body, a Protestant sympathizer, was murdered in Helston while supervising the destruction of Catholic images.
1549: Devon people rebelled after their priest used the new Prayer Book on Whitsunday.
1549: Bodmin – peasants gathered to protest the Act of Uniformity.
Sampford Courtenay: Rebels persuaded their priest to deliver a traditional Catholic Mass before joining the Cornish rebels at Crediton on 20th June.
Leaders: Rebels were led by Edward Courtenay and Henry Arundell, sons of declining Catholic families.
Rebel Demands:
Reginald Pole (exiled Catholic cardinal) to be included in the King’s Council.
Reinstate the Six Articles (Catholic laws).
Use of Latin and prayers for the dead.
Opposition to 1549 Sheep Tax, which hurt pastoral areas like Devon and Cornwall.
Landowners and gentry were viewed as enemies, with attacks on the gentry at St Michael’s Mount and Bodmin.
Lord Russell noted that landlords in the West Country raised rents excessively and abandoned ‘good lordship’ towards the poor.
how serious was the western rebellion
Seriousness of the Western Rebellion:
Aim: Rebels did not want to overthrow Edward VI, but opposed his religious policies.
8th July 1549: Lord Russell attempted to negotiate with the rebels but failed.
12th July 1549: Reinforcements under Lord Grey were delayed due to an Oxfordshire uprising.
6th August 1549: Lord Russell relieved Exeter and reinforcements led by Sir William Heber arrived.
8th August 1549: France declared war on England.
16th August 1549: Lord Russell defeated the rebels at Sampford Courtenay.
Aftermath:
3,000 rebels killed.
Executions without trials and confiscation of property.
Robert Welsh, rebel leader, was hanged on a gallows at his church tower.
causes of the wyatt rebellion
1553: Rumors of Mary’s marriage to Philip of Spain led to fears of Spanish dominance at court, with no positions available for Englishmen.
January 1554: Proclamation of the marriage sparked action earlier than planned. Only Kent raised significant support with 3,000 rebels, while other areas failed (e.g., Henry Grey raised 140 rebels).
Thomas Wyatt: A Kent gentry member, he changed sides after fearing the loss of his position due to the Spanish marriage. He had previously supported Mary over Lady Jane Grey in 1553.
Nationalism and Xenophobia: Wyatt’s rebellion was motivated by anti-Spanish sentiment, focusing on the fear of Spanish control rather than religion. 26th January: Wyatt announced his rebellion to resist the marriage, not mentioning religious issues.
Norwich carpenter: “We will lie in pig sties… and the Spaniards will have our houses.”
Religious Avoidance: Wyatt avoided using religion to gain support, as appealing to Protestants would alienate much of the country. Instead, he focused on anti-Spanish rhetoric.
Maidstone: The largest group of rebels came from this area, which was strongly Trinitarian Protestant.
Leaders and Targets: The leaders were all Protestants, and the rebels attacked the property of Stephen Gardiner, the Catholic Bishop of Winchester.
Economic Factors: Decline in Kent’s cloth trade led to unemployment, and some rebels came from economically struggling areas like Cranbrook. The rebels came from over 30 different occupational backgrounds, making it hard to argue economic pressure alone caused the revolt.
Seriousness of the Wyatt Rebellion:
Seriousness of the Wyatt Rebellion:
Elite Support: The rebellion had significant support from the elite, with coordinated risings planned for 18th March in Kent, Herefordshire, Devon, and Leicestershire.
Government Awareness: Simon Renard learned of the rebellion from Edward Courtenay and informed Mary. The government was prepared.
Proclamation of Marriage: January 1554 proclamation triggered action earlier than planned, but only Kent raised 3,000 men.
Duke of Suffolk: Co-conspirator Duke of Suffolk was forced into hiding after failed support in Coventry.
Herald and Rejection: The government sent a herald to Wyatt’s home, but Wyatt rejected the offer to discuss grievances.
Duke of Norfolk: 29th January 1554: Duke of Norfolk led a force against the rebels, but his troops deserted him and joined Wyatt’s side, shouting “We are all Englishmen.”
Anti-Spanish Sentiment: Wyatt’s propaganda gained traction, leading to 3,000 men with cannons. Rebels captured some of the Queen’s ships from Gravesend.
Strategic Delays: Wyatt could have attacked London but delayed, besieging Cooling Castle and capturing Lord Cobham. This delay allowed Mary more time to gather troops.
Mary’s Speech: 1st February 1554: Mary gave a speech at the Guildhall, appealing to Londoners’ loyalty. By 3rd February, Londoners were securing the city.
Wyatt’s Approach: 6th February 1554: Wyatt was stopped at Ludgate, just half a kilometer from Mary at the Tower.
Executions: 90 rebels were executed, including Wyatt. Lady Jane Grey and her husband, Guilford Dudley, were also executed despite their innocence.
causes of the kett rebellion
enclosure
Unrest started with anti-enclosure riots in the Norfolk towns of Attleborough and Wymondham. In July 1549, rioters in Wymondham pulled down the fences put up by John Flowerdew.
Rebels attacked the hedges of Robert Kett, who promptly welcomed the rebels and
assumed leadership, The rebels were angry with the ruling class. When they seized Norwich in August 1549, it was the houses of the wealthy that received most of the damage. Lord Sheffield, a local nobleman, was murdered after falling from his horse.
government
In 1548 Somerset established commissions under John Hales to investigate enclosures. He subsequently issued proclamations blaming enclosure for the country’s economic ills (e.g., June 1548: proclamation against men being ‘driven to
extreme poverty and compelled to leave the place they were born because of enclosure’).
In 1548 John Hales introduced 3 bills on enclosure into parliament.
In March 1549, a 5% tax a special tax on sheep were passed against stiff opposition.
In the summer of 1549, Hales continued his commission again. However, he failed to bring proceedings against any enclosures.
religion
In 1548 Somerset established commissions under John Hales to investigate enclosures. He subsequently issued proclamations blaming enclosure for the country’s economic ills (e.g., June 1548: proclamation against men being ‘driven to extreme poverty and compelled to leave the place they were born because of enclosure’). In 1548 John Hales introduced 3 bills on enclosure into parliament. In March 1549, a 5% tax a special tax on sheep were passed against stiff opposition. In the summer of 1549, Hales continued his commission again. However, he failed to bring proceedings against any enclosures.
seriousness of the kett rebellion
Degree of threat
Disorder was widespread: Trouble in 25 counties from Yorkshire to Cornwall
At least 20 rebel camps where disgruntled commons assembled. At least 16 rebel
petitions.
There is a sort of regime change – Protector Somerset falls. But this doesn’t happen as a direct consequence of the rebellions and there are no calls to overthrow the king
Threat heightened in part because of the incompetence of the local authorities in putting Kett down – allowed rebels time to gather strength
Reasons for failure
Although 25 counties saw disturbances, London remained entirely loyal to the crown; of course there were no agrarian grievances in a city!
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
