PEASANT REVOLTS 155 



The brave and constant Kett and his brother were 

 captured, and after being kept for some months in 

 prison in London, Robert — the leader — was hanged in 

 chains on the top of Norwich Castle, and his brother 

 William on the steeple of Wymondham Church. 



Risings took place about the same time in different 

 parts of the country, the revolt in the western counties 

 being specially formidable. These rebellions in the 

 west are generally ascribed to religious disaffection. 

 This is only true in a small degree. The reformed 

 religion had just been confirmed by Act of Parliament 

 and was distasteful to many who preferred the old 

 faith. The rebellion was therefore joined by " certain 

 squires and gentlemen and many priests." The 

 demands put forward, mostly referring to religion, 

 " were hammered up in the name of the people by 

 these religious mutineers." But with the peasantry 

 agrarian grievances were to the front, and "above all 

 enclosures must down." 



Strong forces under the command of Lord Russell 

 and Lord Grey were sent by the king to suppress 

 these outbreaks, and after many conflicts — with varying 

 results and much bloodshed — the rebels were finally 

 routed, most of them slain, and their leaders and many 

 others executed." ^ 



After the rebellion was crushed the usual cruelties 

 were inflicted on those who had taken part in the out- 



the landholders in Norfolk against the rebels, that after 3500 had been 

 massacred in Duffins-dale and another 300 had been hanged, they 

 positively asked for more executions." 



1 The most desperate fighting took place close to the present writer's 

 birthplace and no doubt his forefathers had the honour of taking part in 

 the struggle. Fifty or sixty years ago traditions of these conflicts still 

 survived in the villages. In many labourers' families (including the 

 writer's family) traditions also lingered of their forefathers having been 

 despoiled of their lands by the methods described. 



