The Impact of the Threats in the 1540s and 1550s

Widespread Social Discontent

The 1540s and 1550s was a period of significant tension and unrest in both Wales and England.
The enclosure movement and food shortages worsened economic hardships for many common people leading to discontent.
The Western Rebellion (1549) and Kett’s Rebellion (1549) were notable uprisings during this period.

The Western Rebellion 1549

Also known as Prayer Book Rebellion, it began in Cornwall and Devon due to resentment against the imposition of English language services as imposed by Thomas Cranmer’s Book of Common Prayer.
The main issues were language and religion, but underlying economic frustrations due to the land enclosure movement also fuelled the rebellion.

Kett’s Rebellion 1549

Originating in Norwich, Norfolk, this rebellion was primarily against enclosures by landlords, demonstrating the impact of economic hardship on social stability.
Led by Robert Kett, rebels aimed to restore the previous ‘rights of commons’ which involved communal land usage opposing land enclosures.

Impact of the Rebellions

Both rebellions were brutally suppressed, with those seen as key instigators, including Kett himself, duly punished. This demonstrated the toughness of the Tudor authority.
Following the suppression of these rebellions, each was used as an example by the government to discourage further insurrections, contributing to a less volatile close to the sixteenth century.
The rebellions emphasised to the ruling elite the impact of socio-economic policies and religious change on the populace.

The 1550s, Mary I, and Religious Change

The short reign of Mary I (1553-1558) saw the re-establishment of Catholicism which brought its own tensions, leading to the persecution of Protestants, or what came to be known as the Marian Persecutions.
Mary’s marriage to Philip II of Spain led to fear of foreign domination and economic hardship as foreign wars led to increased taxes.
Those who refused to convert faced punishment exemplified by the nearly 300 Protestant heretics burnt at the stake, including the Oxford Martyrs.

Conclusion

The 1540s and 1550s represented a period of significant threats and upheaval in England and Wales.
The response of the Tudor monarchs to these threats, including the repression of rebellions and the religious changes, demonstrate their determination to maintain control and authority.
The impact of these threats led to greater governmental control, an imposed common religious identity, and a period of relative stability in the later part of the century.