western rebellion

• Prayer book rebellion


  Introduction of moderate book of common prayer - 1547 william body in local areas who was proterjay of cromwell. Disliked his presence
• Causes of Western rebellion

  • Sheep tax
  • Bad harvest
  • Cornish had distinguished identity
• Western countries elites

  • Unwilling to take action against the rebellion to support the government
• Humphrey arudndell


  Skilled tactician and commander
• Robert welsh


  Vicar in exeter
• Events of June 1549


  1. Mainly meet in sampford courteney - 10 june 1549

  2. Meet in bodmin

  3. Towards exeter 2 july - 6th august
• Articles of the commons - mid-June 1549


  • End changes to ceremonies eg baptism
  • Restore 6 articles - heretical to deny transubstantiation
  • Catholic traditions images purgatory
  • Cardinal pole out of exile and go into government
  • Address social and economic grievances related to land tenure
• Events of July - August 1549


  1. 2000 men laid siege to the largest city in the area. Exeter. Lasting 6 weeks

  2. Lord russel arrived with an army of 8000 well armed and ruthless general massacre

  3. They attacked the rebels in august 1549 and killed more than 4000 in a general massacre

  4. Robert welsh and humphrey arundell executed
• Government response

  Saw demands as very conservative and a return to catholicism<|>Cranmer enraged by what he saw as insubordination of the masses<|>Rebels defeated at sampford courteny<|>Sent in officials to investigate enclosure which ends up causing greater social resentment between labourers and landowners and the government
• Reasons for failure

  • No clear achievable aimed- demanded things gov couldnt grant
  • Rebel leadership slope allowed themselves to be bogged down in siege of exeter
• Historical interpretations

  • John guy - 'closest thing to class welfare'
  • Ap pollar' social tensions heart of rebellion gentry is enemy
  • Fellows - link between rebels legious greivences and their attack on the gentery