Kett's revolt

Title:
Kett's revolt

Description:
Kett's Rebellion was a revolt in Norfolk beginning in July 1549 instigated by Robert Kett (or Ket) of Wymondham, Norfolk. Robert Kett (b. 1492) himself had been a tanner and owned the manor of Wymondham making him a wealthy man. The town of Wymondham illegally celebrated the life of Saint Thomas Becket on the weekend of 6 July 1549. It was here that the anger of the town people came to such a point that violence came to them. They started ripping down enclosures in the nearby village of Morley St. Botolph before proceeding onto John Flowerdew's estate at Hethersett. Flowerdew bribed the people into ripping down (Ben) Robert Kett's enclosures, A bribe that backfired when Kett himself joined with the mob and helped them tear down his own fences before leading them to Flowerdews house where they ripped down his fences. By 9 July, Kett had led the men to the city of Norwich. The mayor at the time was so alarmed by the rebellion that he attempted to bribe the men with money and a promise of pardon, which the rebels squarely rejected, forcing the mayor back within the city walls. On 11 July, Kett set up a base on Mousehold Heath, just outside Norwich. People from all around the area, including Norwich itself, joined Kett on the Heath such that their numbers amounted to around 15,000. Morale was so high amongst Kett's men that they rejected further bribes of money, liquor and official pardons, all the while ripping down enclosures around the city. Administration for the camp was done from the Oak of Reformation, once a large tree at the base of Mousehold Heath, but has now been converted to a car park near Kett's Hill in Norwich. After a couple of weeks on Mousehold Heath, food became scarce and morale was weakening. Therefore on 22 July[1], Kett led the men to an attack on Norwich, apparently with pitchforks, sticks and mud. After much struggle, the rebels entered Norwich, congregated in the area now known as the present day marketplace, and effectively assumed temporary control of the city. The king first sent the William Parr, 1st Marquess of Northampton with 14,000 men to quash the rebellion. Given his poor experience in battle, this attack failed. However, John Dudley, Earl of Warwick was sent with a further, stronger army. Warwick had previously fought in France, was previously a member of the House of Commons, and subsequently the Privy Council, making him a strong force to be reckoned with. However, despite the threat, the rebels were loyal to Kett throughout and continued to fight with Warwick's men. They fought well against an overwhelming army, and led the battle out of the city onto one of the dales leading out of Mousehold Heath, Dussindale. The actual site of Dussindale has never been proven. The most popular theory is that the Dale began in the vicinity of the Plumstead Road East allotments that swept into Valley Drive and into the present remnant of Mousehold, into the Long Valley and out into what is now Gertrude Road and the allotments. In Victorian times this area was known as 'Ketts Meadow'. The other Dussindale is the name given to a recent housing development in nearby Thorpe St Andrew, which appears to have more to do with the Civil War judging by the various road names. Kett fled during the battle to a nearby town, where he was found a couple of days later. Several other ringleaders were hanged at the Oak of Reformation. Robert Kett and his brother William Kett were taken to Norwich Castle, and subjected to torture there. Eventually they were taken to the Tower of London, where they were convicted of High Treason. On the 7 December 1549, Robert Kett was taken back to Norwich castle and hanged over the side, where his death was drawn out over days as an example to the people of Norwich. William Kett was hanged over the side of Wymondham Abbey in a similar manner. My channel on you tube : http://www.youtube.com/alanhea th is one of the most prolific from Poland, although unfortunately not the most visited. With almost one film per day, one may be forgiven for thinking I do nothing else but I do have a day job as well. I have produced more than 625 original films, most in English but also in Polish, French, Italian, Spanish and the occasional hint of German and Hebrew. My big interest in life is travel and history but I have also placed films on other subjects There are a number of films here on the packaging industry. This is because I am the publisher of Central and Eastern European Packaging -- http://www.ceepackaging.com - the international platform for the packaging industry in this region focussing on the latest innovations, trends, design, branding, legislation and environmental issues with in-depth profiles of major industry achievers. My blog can be found via http://www.ceepackaging.com and http://www.pbn.com.pl and contains background information and more details of many of my films. This information is in English.

Author:
alanheath

Tags:
Kett's, Rebellion, Robert, Kett, Wymondham, Norwich, Norfolk, East, Anglia, Saint, Thomas, Beckett, Morley, Botolph,