cornish tax revolt (1497)

• in 1496, a forced loan for war in Scotland was approved by the government and was funded through taxation. Cornwall was previously exempt from these taxes due to its distance from the border and severe poverty. this loan required Cornwall to contribute a disproportionately large share.
• tin minors and labourers in cornwall felt this form of income tax violated the rights that had been given to them by the previous monarch edward, exempting them from all taxes of tenths of income.
• The Cornish had no sympathy or support for English war in Scotland, and most of the Cornish population were not English speakers, causing influential Cornish figures like Michael An Gof and Thomas Flamank to incite many into armed revolt against the monarchy
• 15,000 rebels marched into Devon attracting support as they went. they planned to march without any slaughter, violence, or spoil of the country, and the march gained noble support.
• they began trying to broaden the rebellion, but failed in kent after locals clashed with the rebels, causing some rebels to retreat home. by the 13th of June 1497, the cornish had only 10,000 rebels ready to fight.
• the battle of Deptford took place on the 17th of June 1497 in which 25,000 royal army troops destroyed the ill-armed cornish which lacked essential cavalry and artillery.
• up to 2000 cornish rebels were killed, causing An Gof to give the order to surrender, he then fled but was captured in Greenwich.
• As punishment, Henry applied severe financial penalties that crippled cornwall for years to come, and many prisoners were sold into slavery, and many estates were seized and handed to the more loyal nobles
• An Gof and Flamank were arrested and sentenced to the "Traitor's Death", which involved being hung, drawn, and quartered. they were both executed at Tybum on the 27th of June, meaning the rebellion was obliterated quickly