Comparing the Western Rebellion and Kett's Rebellion in Terms of Causes and Threat

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Comparing the Western Rebellion and Kett's Rebellion in Terms of Causes and Threat

The year 1549 in which both rebellions took place was a troublesome

year for the Lord Protector, at the time, Somerset. It was plagued

with bad harvests, inflation, poverty and war. These factors made 1549

a watershed year for rioting and rebellion. Though these are the only

two rebellions that posed a serious threat, they were definitely not

unique. There were outbreaks throughout the country ranging from

Leicestershire to Gloucestershire for most of the year. Somerset's

style of leadership was not suited to this atmosphere and had in not

been Warwick; he would have been ousted by someone else it was only a

matter of time.

Though the rebellions had different motivations and causes, some

parallels can be drawn. For instance, they both had local grievances

that they wished to voice and neither could have been handled at a

local level. In fact, what distinguished the two rebellions from the

rest during the grave year was its ability to grow beyond a local

level and in effect become a more serious threat to the government. In

addition, the Western rebellion may have been considered more serious

since firstly, the government realised its existence too late and was

slow to act against it, and secondly, it eventually led to the coup by

Warwick. However, had it not been for Kett's rebellion the Western

rebellion would not have been so pivotal. Furthermore, the engagement

of the troops with Kett's rebellion put Somerset in such a weak

position.

A key problem and grievance of both rebellions was inflation.

Somerset's continued policy of debasement o...

... middle of paper ...

...llion was successfully dispersed by Somerset's troops but

required an all the forces he was capable of mustering. Hence the

Western rebels may have overthrown him had Warwick not stolen the

opportunity and crushed the rebellion only for him to soon take power.

Furthermore, the Privy Council did not think much of Somerset since he

consulted them rarely, only adding to the opposition he faced at the

time. The causes of the two rebellions and the threats they pose are a

response to the failure of the Lord Protector to rule as an effective

leader. However, it is not to be said that is it entirely his fault

since many of the problems he or Edward VI had inherited. Though some

were simply out of his control like bad harvest other were worsened by

his judgements such as the continuation of the war and debasing of the

coinage.

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