Kett's Rebellion (1549)
Back in July of 1549, Robert Kett who was from Wymondham, Norfolk and owner of Wymondham Manor, celebrated an illegal convent of the life of Saint Thomas Beckett. This illegal celebration led to anger amongst some of the surrounding town folk who in turn began a destructive path where first the Village of Morley St. Botolph was attacked. After the angry mob had finished tearing down enclosures in the village, they made their way to the John Flowerdew Estate, but rather than tearing down the enclosures on the estate, John Flowerdew ended up bribing the mob into tearing down the enclosures at Wymondham Manor.
Out of retaliation to this onslaught, Robert Kett got the attention of the remaining town folk and led them to a nearby open field in which he gave an open address to them about the rebellion.
In just three days, the Kett Rebellion had found its way into Norwich. Upon arrival in the city of Norwich, the mayor was so astonished by the rebellion, that he had attempted to bribe the people with promises of pardoning them all if they were to disperse. This attempted bribe infuriated the mob who insisted on ransacking the village.
From that point, the mayor hastily made his way behind the walls of the city of Norwich as a means of providing himself with a defensive position. This stronghold would not last long as Robert Kett had a base set up within no time on the nearby Mousehold Heath. The rebellion began to grow as people in the surrounding villages and along the outskirts of the city of Norwich began to join up with Kett’s rebellion until he had amassed a thundering 15,000 strong force. The people of the rebellion were so full of morale, that although a number of bribes had been offered, they insisted on continuing with the rebellion and ripping down the enclosures surrounding the city of Norwich.
The rebellious army of just over 15,000 men stayed steadfast on top of Mousehold Heath for a couple of weeks until which point the food rations that were available were becoming less and less which in turn was affecting the morale of the rebellion. Rather than call it a day, the Kett’s Rebellion upon the orders of Robert Kett, set out to attack the city of Norwich with nothing more than mud, pitchforks and sticks and took control of the center of the city.
As a result and under the request of the mayor of Norwich as well as the King, an army of 14,000 soldiers were sent to Norwich as a means of squashing the rebellion. Unfortunately, the choice of leaders for the Kings army was not a well-planned one as William Parr had almost no battle experience and the entire army was beat back.
This loss infuriated the King who then decided to send another squad of well-trained men along with John Dudley as the commander to take out the rebellion. John Dudley was the Earl of Warwick and had also been a member of the House of Commons as well as having previous battle experience in France. Unfortunately for Dudley though, the rebellions were extremely loyal to Robert Kett and managed another victory against almost impossible odds.
After this battle though, the rebellion would be over with and Robert Kett would flee the area and go into hiding in a nearby village to prevent any possible prosecution seeing as the other high level officials in the rebellion had already been caught and hung. When the King’s men finally managed to catch up to Robert Kett and arrest him, they took him first to Norwich Castle where he was tortured for months before being brought to the Tower of London. Upon arriving in London, Robert Kett was hung over the edge of the tower in view of everyone until he died.
Original Authors: Globel Team (Nick)
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 23/05/2008
