BattlefieldsKett's Rebellion — Camp at Mousehold Heath (1549)
Tudor

Kett's Rebellion — Camp at Mousehold Heath (1549)

1549
Norfolk, England
Also known as: Kett's camp Mousehold 1549 · Norfolk rebellion camp
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Norfolk, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Lord Northampton's royalist force (first relief army)
Forces
Lord Northampton c.1,500–2,500.
VS
Victor
Rebels (Robert Kett — temporarily)
Forces
Robert Kett c.16,000 peasants/yeomen
Outcome
Rebels established massive camp at Mousehold Heath outside Norwich; first royal army under Northampton defeated and expelled from Norwich
The Battle

History & Significance

Robert Kett led 16,000 Norfolk peasants and yeomen to Mousehold Heath overlooking Norwich, the second city of England, in protest against enclosures and landlord abuses. The camp became a remarkable self-governing community dispensing justice under an oak tree. When Lord Northampton brought a royal army, the rebels defeated it, killing Lord Sheffield, and held Norwich for six weeks. The camp represented one of the most significant popular political movements of Tudor England.

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