Somerset 'good duke, bad duke'

• Edward Somerset background

  • Brother of Edward VI mother, Jane Seymour.
  • Rose through ranks through his military skill
  • Protestant reformer, encouraged his nephew to make changes to the English Church.
• Problems facing Somerset 1547

  • Henry VIII ran up huge debts
  • He had also sold off Crown Land
  • ^ Population
  • Unemployment and vagrancy
  • Decision on whether or not to go to war with France
• Economy under Somerset

  • Debased coinage, earned £537,000 as inflation rose as a result
  • Population rises outstripped resources
  • Poor harvest 1548, food prices ^
  • Commissioners appointed by Somerset to investigate enclosures
  • Tax upon sheep introduced 1548, attempt to curb enclosure
• Kett's Rebellion, 1549

  • Causes were sheep tax, inflation, unemployment, poor harvest, ^ in rent and impact of enclosures.
  • Rebels thought they would have Somersets support if they tore down local enclosures.
  • They criticised the clergy.
  • Robert Kett led the rebellion, mobs took over Norwich, Somerset sent down an army, 3000 rebels died.
  • Kett was hung in chains and left to rot.
• Western Rebellion, 1549

  • Caused by the new prayer book and impact of sheep tax on farmers.
  • Rebels wanted to keep Latin in the Prayer book and church services.
  • They met in Cornwall, moved to Exeter and held the city under siege for 6 weeks.
  • Rebellion put down and leaders excecuted.