BattlefieldsKett's Rebellion — Camp at Mousehold Heath 1549
Tudor

Kett's Rebellion — Camp at Mousehold Heath 1549

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

Who Fought

Defeated
Crown loyalists
Forces
Crown loyalists c.500–1,000.
VS
Victor
Kett's rebels
Forces
Kett's rebels c.12,000–16,000
Outcome
Robert Kett assembled 16,000 men on Mousehold Heath above Norwich; city partially controlled; government forces unable to dislodge
The Battle

History & Significance

Robert Kett, a Norfolk tanner, led one of the most substantial social rebellions of the Tudor period. His camp on Mousehold Heath held 16,000 men who established a remarkable proto-democratic government — hearing cases under the 'Oak of Reformation', petitioning the crown for enclosure reform, and maintaining remarkable discipline. The rebellion reflected genuine economic grievances about enclosure of common land and the exploitation of peasant tenants by the gentry.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Norfolk

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Norfolk