A
Ketts rebellion re-enactment |
Kett's Rebellion
took place in the summer of 1549. It started off in Wymondham
after a small group of peasants got together to protest against
rich robber barons who had stolen the common land, leaving the peasants
to starve.
Led by Robert Kett, the peasants marched 10 miles into Norwich
and gathered on Mousehold Heath, attracting the support of
the poorer people of Norwich.
Battle painting, Wymondham Museum |
Some 15,000
rebels eventually gathered here and their pitched battles against
government forces on the streets of Norwich led to a national
crisis.
An army of 13,000 men commanded by the Earl of Warwick eventually
forced the rebels back to the Heath.
The rebels
then retreated further to an area outside the city called Dussindale
but were caught up by the army of Warwick.
Hundreds of peasants were killed and 300 were captured and executed
in Norwich.
Kett himself
was imprisoned and later hanged from the battlements of Norwich
Castle.
Despite Robert Kett's unfortunate demise his name lives on. Three
years ago his ancestors in Wymondham marked the uprising's 450th
anniversary with many celebrations including a re-enactment of the
initial uprising.
Meet
by the old oak tree, Wymondham |
An
oak tree at which Kett and the rebels are said to have met before
they marched on Norwich still stands.
A living memorial to the man once called traitor, now called hero.
Thank
you to Mark Karaczun from Norwich who suggested K was for Kett's
Rebellion .
Internet sites:
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