During the Reigns of Edward and Mary there were two key ministers, Lord Protector Somerset and Lord President Northumberland, both faced opposition to policy’s which resulted in 3 rebellions, the western rebellion, kett’s rebellion in 1549 and Wyatts revolt in 1554 all fuelled by multiple factors from political reasons to economic or religion.
Political factors
Many lived in poor conditions and this resulted in social factors contributing to the rebellions, many lower class people had an anti-Gentry “class antagonism” (Duffy) feeling because the monastic lands were given to the upper classes, “aroused by the arrogance of gentry and by their role in imposing religious changes” (Williams) resulting in the Western Rebellion. Much of the rebelions motivation came from people yearning for a past better life as in this period many were living in poor conditions and felt a need to rebel.
Religion was a key factor in the role of the multiple rebellion’s, mainly the western rebellion. The people wanted religion to change back to the previous Catholic beliefs as seen under Henry 8th, “the most formidable opposition to the reformation that England saw” (Caramani), Wyatts revolt also had religious motives such as many believing the marriage of Mary and Phillip would result in Catholic changes such as the return of the pope, this would scare and frustrate many after a protestant change had taken place across the country, this would especially affect the Gentry class as many may be prosecuted as heretics, much like the Spanish Inquisition but in Britain “Religious fear…may have converted widespread dislike of the marriage into open revolt”. Religion however did not play a role in Kett’s rebellion, as that was more of a socially and economically motivated rebellion.
The main reason for the riots I believe was economically motivated, the western rebellion was partially due to the new sheep tax introduced by Somerset “this rising was principally religious but economic discontents were also involved” , this economic distress was also a concern contributing to Waytts revolt, rent increases nationwide and enclosures affected many as people mainly survived off livestock and farming, resulting in much opposition to Somerset, resulting in a riot. Many believed if the Spanish entered a war, the English people could face raising taxes for them to help fund the war. The main reason for this revolt was the threat of Spanish people taking the English jobs, which could result in many out of work, further making life harder.
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