the western rebellion

Religious

• wanted a restoration of the six articles, and a return to traditional practices
• doctorine restoration ; transubstantiation, purgatory 
• refused the concept of mass of both times, new service considered a 'christmas game'  wanted a restoration of latin
• against the act of uniformity - english bible
• insited mass be as normal, samford Courtenay devon
• William Body destroying church images, murder 1548
• wanted catholic preachers released from jail so that they could preach
• no call for Papal reinstatement

Social and Economic

• sheep and cloth tax
• hatred of the gentry, more pronounced social divisions in Cornwall as they shouted 'kill the gentlemen' at Bodmin; robbed at St Michael's Mount; murdered William Hellyons; plundered castle
• resentment of english interference through the gentry, many of which were protestant and had benefitted from the reformation (monastic lands)

Violence of the Rebels

• aggressive towards the gentry
• unwilling to negotiate with the gentry, even though many had sympathy with them due to their concerns over Somerset's authority
• attempted to set fire to Exceter's gates (however they didn't attempt a full scale attack, although they sieged)
• took 5 + skirmishes/battles for the rebels to be defeated

attitude and impact of the government 

• Courtnay's fall : no powerful nobel supporting or able to control the rebellion - power vacuum in the south west, which although Sir John Russel had replaced them, they had not spent enough time in the area for the locals to recognise his authority
• Peter Carew: protestant sympathiser, aggravted the situation, later he was reprimanded
• Government forces: set fire to the barns, 'refuse scum of the whole country' - class divide, which the made the rebels spread messages thaat the gentry were united against them - which enabled them to gather furthermore support

YES - big threat!

direct attack on government policy

government extremely weak

• took place under minority of the king, many agreed with the government 
• 23 counties experienceing unrest, the western rebels could have met up with these- war with scotland and threat of french invasion
• William Paget commented that the new religion had not won the hearts of the people.
• Somerset uninformed on the severity of the situation

Exceter stressed out

• cheap free and food --> free to the poor

forced into several battles

• slow to send troops to the west, rebellion able to gain ground
• despite being badly armed, they were able to goad the royal troops into battle
• withdrew troops from Scotland to combat the rebellions

Result of rebellion

• Somerset removed from power in 1549
• reversal of his unpopular acts : the slavery act of 1547

Result of regional instability

• fall of the Courtney's, Sir John Russell not well established
• power vaccum, like Kett's where the Howards of East Anglia had fallen
• Carew worsened the situation - no social stauts
• council of the west 1539
• murder of william body 1548
• Mayer of Bodmin joined the rebellion
• 'closest thing Tudor England saw to class war' John Guy
• Lesser Gentry the leasers, faults in controlling the lower classes
• established gentry which felt alienated from power and court were passive througout the breakout

Broke out on Whitsunday June 1549

Leaders: Humphrey Arundell - cornish gentleman,, Robert Welsh - vicar of St Thomas in devon

Political 

• restoration of Cardinal Pole, as a political leader
• wished Mary Tudor to be back in the line of succession
• downfall of the Courtenay's in court, claimants to the throne 

Rebel Army

• grew to 5000
• didnt launch attack on Exceter, although they were antagonistic towards it
• peaceful element of the 5 wounds of Christ, as used by the POG
• behaviour of the gentry in the years running up to the rebellion explains some of the antagonistic behaviour towards them from the rebels

NO - Not a serious threat

Aims 

• didn't wish to overthrow the government
• also more socio-economic in aspects, therefore even less of a threat

Actions

• unable to take Exceter
• didn't attempt to march on London
• didn't join with other rebels - only 5000
• rebellion eventually able to be crushed : not that strong

Religional instability

• fall of the Courtenays, Sir John Russel not well established
• council of the West 1539
• Cornwall resented any english interference
• Carew worsening the situation