OCR Specification focus:
‘The rebellions of 1549 (Western and Kett)’
The rebellions of 1549 revealed deep social, economic, political, and religious tensions in Tudor England, threatening stability during Edward VI’s minority government.
Background to 1549 Rebellions
Edward VI’s reign began under the regency of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, whose authority as Lord Protector was fragile. Rapid religious change, economic pressures, and unpopular enclosures provided fertile ground for unrest.
Causes of Widespread Unrest
Religious Change: The introduction of the 1549 Book of Common Prayer enforced uniform Protestant worship, provoking hostility among conservative Catholics.
Economic Distress: Inflation, price rises, population growth, and food shortages intensified hardship.
Enclosure: Widespread enclosure of common land for sheep farming displaced peasants and angered rural communities.
Weak Government Control: Somerset’s reliance on proclamations and indecisive policies encouraged rebellion.
Enclosure: The process of converting common land or open fields into privately owned, fenced land, often displacing peasants and limiting traditional grazing rights.
The Western Rebellion (Prayer Book Rebellion)
The Western Rebellion, also known as the Prayer Book Rebellion, erupted in Devon and Cornwall in June 1549.
Religious Motivations
Opposition centred on the imposition of the English Prayer Book, replacing Latin liturgy.
Title page of the 1549 Book of Common Prayer, the first uniform English liturgy mandated across parish churches. Its enforcement in Devon and Cornwall provoked resistance from conservative Catholics and Cornish speakers. This primary source underlines how religious policy translated into local grievance. Source
Rebels demanded restoration of Catholic practices, including the Six Articles and Latin Mass.
Resentment of Protestant preachers and destruction of traditional images in churches.
Social and Regional Tensions
Cornwall’s distinct identity and language fuelled resistance.
Rural communities resented interference by central government and local gentry.
Key Events
Rebels gathered at Sampford Courtenay, then marched to Exeter.
Exeter was besieged for over a month, facing starvation.
Government response led by Lord Russell eventually crushed the rebels at Clyst Heath and Sampford Courtenay with heavy casualties (up to 4,000 deaths).
Consequences
Demonstrated fierce opposition to religious reform in rural communities.
Harsh suppression alienated local populations.
Showed government dependence on force to maintain authority.
Kett’s Rebellion
Kett’s Rebellion broke out in Norfolk in July 1549, focusing more on socio-economic grievances.
Economic and Social Causes
Anger at land enclosure, rack-renting, and corruption by landlords.
Hostility to local gentry’s abuse of authority.
Rebels sought fair rents and restoration of common rights.
Robert Kett’s Leadership
Robert Kett, a yeoman farmer, became the leader after siding with rebels against landlords.
Established an organised camp on Mousehold Heath near Norwich, gathering up to 16,000 men.
Rebels issued a set of 29 Articles, demanding reform of enclosures, rents, and local government corruption.
Key Events
Rebels captured Norwich, England’s second largest city.
Norwich in the later sixteenth century, shown with its walls, gates, and street network. This labelled plan helps explain Kett’s seizure of the city and the government’s need to retake such a strategic urban centre. The image predates 1549 by only a few decades and reflects the city’s Tudor-era layout (extra decorative cartouches and figures are not required by the syllabus). Source
Government’s first force under the Marquis of Northampton failed.
Final suppression by the Earl of Warwick (later Duke of Northumberland) at the Battle of Dussindale in August 1549.
Around 3,000 rebels were killed; Robert Kett was captured and executed for treason.
Consequences
Highlighted rural anger at enclosure and social inequality.
Revealed fragile authority of central government.
Warwick’s suppression restored order but left deep resentment in East Anglia.
The Broader Crisis of 1549
The simultaneous outbreak of major rebellions exposed the vulnerability of Somerset’s government.
National Instability
Rebellions coincided with war against Scotland and tense relations with France.
Government resources were overstretched, requiring mercenaries and reinforcements.
Foreign powers viewed England as unstable during Edward VI’s minority.
Political Impact
Somerset’s reputation suffered due to perceived weakness in handling unrest.
His reliance on proclamations and lack of decisive leadership led to accusations of incompetence.
By October 1549, his political downfall was secured as Warwick replaced him as the leading figure in government.
Comparison of Western and Kett Rebellions
Western Rebellion: Primarily religious, rooted in opposition to Protestant reforms and cultural identity.
Kett’s Rebellion: Primarily socio-economic, focused on enclosure, rents, and gentry abuses.
Similarity: Both demonstrated widespread popular anger and limited effectiveness of Tudor local governance.
Government Response: Both brutally suppressed, leaving thousands dead, showing Tudor reliance on military force.
Significance
The rebellions of 1549 reflected:
Religious divisions: Strong Catholic resistance to Protestant imposition.
Social unrest: Popular anger at enclosure and economic hardship.
Weak governance: Somerset’s inability to manage crises effectively.
Threat to Tudor stability: Serious challenge to central authority during Edward VI’s minority, shaping future policies of the regime.
FAQ
The local gentry were expected to raise forces and maintain order, but many either sympathised with the rebels or feared retaliation if they acted.
In Devon and Cornwall, several gentry figures were captured or killed by rebels, leaving government troops under Lord Russell heavily reliant on reinforcements from outside the region. This weakened the government’s ability to suppress the rebellion quickly.
Mousehold Heath, just outside Norwich, was elevated and spacious, making it an ideal location for a rebel camp.
It offered a clear view of Norwich, giving rebels both morale and strategic oversight.
The land could accommodate thousands of men and their temporary encampments.
Its symbolic position above the city projected authority and intimidation towards local elites.
Both groups framed their rebellion as loyal to the Crown while opposing corrupt officials or religious change.
Western rebels claimed they resisted unlawful innovations in religion.
Kett’s followers issued the 29 Articles, couching demands in terms of justice and fair governance.
By presenting themselves as defenders of tradition or reform, they sought to avoid being labelled outright traitors.
The rugged terrain of Devon and Cornwall made rebel gatherings difficult to reach for government forces.
Narrow lanes and moorland slowed the movement of troops.
Exeter’s isolated location meant the city could be cut off and besieged effectively.
This geography prolonged the rebellion and delayed decisive government intervention.
The brutal repression created lingering distrust. Thousands of deaths alienated communities in both the South-West and East Anglia.
Central government became more cautious, recognising the danger of relying solely on local gentry for control. The reliance on outside troops and mercenaries highlighted regional resentment of London-based authority, shaping Tudor policy towards firmer centralisation in the years that followed.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
Name one cause of the Western Rebellion (1549) and one cause of Kett’s Rebellion (1549).
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for a valid cause of the Western Rebellion (e.g. opposition to the Book of Common Prayer, desire to restore Catholic practices, resentment of religious change).
1 mark for a valid cause of Kett’s Rebellion (e.g. anger at enclosure, hostility to gentry abuses, demands for fair rents).
(Maximum 2 marks; one mark must relate to each rebellion.)
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain why the rebellions of 1549 were such a serious challenge to the government of Edward VI.
Mark Scheme:
Level 1 (1–2 marks):
Simple statements about unrest (e.g. “They were serious because lots of people rebelled” or “The government had to fight the rebels”).
Level 2 (3–4 marks):
Developed explanation of seriousness, showing understanding of more than one factor.
Examples might include: the Western Rebellion besieged Exeter for over a month, Kett’s Rebellion captured Norwich, or both required large forces and mercenaries to suppress.
Level 3 (5–6 marks):
Clear, well-supported explanation that addresses why the government was challenged.
Must include at least two distinct reasons with supporting detail, such as:
• Scale and organisation of unrest (Kett’s camp on Mousehold Heath with 16,000 men).
• Simultaneity of two major rebellions overstretching government resources.
• Foreign policy pressures (war with Scotland and France) reducing capacity to respond.
• Political consequences for Somerset’s authority and eventual downfall.
(Maximum 6 marks; award at the highest level where explanation is developed, supported, and directly linked to the seriousness of the challenge.)
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