Causes of the Kett's rebellion (1549)

Causes of the Kett's rebellion (1549)

1. Social

   • class antagonism
     • Andy Wood- 'a particular sharpness in social conflict'
   • hatred of local government officials
   • annoyance that Somerset didn't keep his promises
   • release of pent-up frustrations about maladministration locally of the Howards

2. Political

   • class antagonism of those in high positions
   • increasing dislike of Somerset's policies
     • lack of consistency
       • not keeping promises

3. Economic

   • resentment of landowner abuse of Norfolk Foldcourse system
   • Somerset didn't keep promise
     • promise of reform- proclaimed against enclosures in April
       • people still facing economic hardship
   • increase in rents
     • rack-renting was seen as a way in which unscrupulous landlords passed the increased costs onto the peasantry

4. Religious

   • Kett vs Flowerdew
     • partially over enclosures
     • dispute over an abbey Flowerdew had brought, as he wanted to tear it down, while the people believed they owned it