BattlefieldsWyatt Rebellion — Rochester Defection of Royal Forces 1554
Tudor

Wyatt Rebellion — Rochester Defection of Royal Forces 1554

1554
Kent, England
Also known as: Rochester defection 1554 · Duke of Norfolk troops join Wyatt 1554
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Crown (Mary I)
Forces
Wyatt with c.3,000 Kentish rebels
VS
Victor
Rebels (Wyatt temporarily)
Forces
Norfolk with c.500 royal troops
Outcome
Royal troops under Duke of Norfolk defected en masse to Wyatt at Rochester; Norfolk fled; Wyatt gained military advantage
The Battle

History & Significance

The defection of Norfolk's royal troops at Rochester in January 1554 was the most dangerous moment of the Wyatt rebellion. When common soldiers threw down their weapons and went over to the rebels shouting We are Englishmen the government faced the collapse of its military capacity. Only Marys personal courage — refusing to leave London and making her famous speech at the Guildhall — prevented the rebellion from succeeding.

Casualties & Losses

None — defection rather than battle

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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