Prayer Book Rebellion
Whitsunday 1549 marked when the Act of Uniformity made it unlawful to use Latin liturgical rites. Magistrates were given task of enforcing change on that date. Following enforced change on Whitsunday, parishioners of Sampford Courtenay in Devon compelled their priest to revert to old service on Whitmonday. Rebels argued new English liturgy was but like Christmas game. This claim probably related to book provision for men and women to file into quire on different sides to receive sacrament. It seemed remind Devon men of country dancing.
Justices arrived at next service to enforce change. An altercation occurred during service leading to proponent William Hellyons killed by being run through with pitchfork on steps of church house. Following confrontation group of parishioners decided march to Exeter to protest introduction of new prayer book. As rebels moved through Devon they gained large numbers Catholic supporters becoming significant force. Marching east to Crediton Devon rebels laid siege to Exeter demanding withdrawal all English liturgies. Although number inhabitants sent message support city refused open gates. Gates stayed closed because siege lasted over month.
In Cornwall army gathered at town Bodmin under leadership mayor Henry Bray. Two staunch Catholic landowners Sir Humphrey Arundell Helland and John Winslade Tregarrick joined forces. Many gentry sought protection old castles. Some shut themselves St Michael's Mount where besieged rebels started bewildering smoke screen burning trusses hay. Combined shortage food distress women forced surrender. Sir Richard Grenville found refuge ruins Trematon Castle deserted many followers enticed outside parley seized castle ransacked imprisoned Launceston gaol.
Cornish army proceeded march east across Tamar border into Devon join Devon rebels near Crediton. Religious aims highlighted slogan Kill all gentlemen we will have Six Articles up again ceremonies as King Henry time. Demands included limiting size households belonging gentry theoretically beneficial population growth unemployment possibly suggests attack prestige gentry. Thomas Cranmer condemned rebels deliberately inciting class conflict by demands diminish strength take away friends command gentlemen pleasures. Protector Somerset saw dislike gentry common factor all 1549 rebellions indeed conceived wonderful hate against gentlemen taketh enemies.
Rebel commanders unsuccessfully tried persuade John Blackaller Exeter pro-Catholic mayor surrender town. City gates closed initial force some 2,000 men gathered outside. Gates stayed closed siege lasted over month. As rebels approached Crediton Devonian knights Sir Gawen and Sir Peter Carew sent negotiate with Devon rebels. Found approaches blocked attacked longbowmen shortly before Cornish rebels arrived Arundell divide combined force sending one force Clyst St Mary assist villagers other main army advance upon Exeter where besieged city five weeks.
Lord John Russell Lord Bedford's initial force reached Honiton the 2nd of July including 160 Italian arquebusiers under command Lord William Grey. With promised reinforcements Wiltshire Gloucestershire Russell would have more than 8,600 men including cavalry force 850 well armed trained. Russell estimated combined rebel forces Cornwall Devon only 7,000 men. On the 28th of July Arundell decided block approach Exeter Fenny Bridges result conflict inconclusive approximately 300 men each side reported died Lord Russell army returned Honiton.
Russell's reinforcements arrived the 2nd of August army 5,000 men began march upon Exeter westward across downs. Advance continued Woodbury Common pitched camp. the 4th of August rebels attacked result inconclusive large numbers prisoners taken Lord Russell. Arundell's forces re-grouped main contingent 6,000 soldiers Clyst St Mary attacked central force led Sir William Francis the 5th of August. After ferocious battle Russell troops gained advantage left thousand Cornish Devonians dead many more taken prisoner.
Highest-ranking casualty rebellion certain William Francis died Fight Carey's Windmill possibly referring Battle Clyst St Mary or Battle Clyst Heath. Title implies gentry most probably knighted leading foremost division leaving road first marched took now one deep narrow rebels banks sides road beat stones striking headpiece resulted death. When news atrocity reached Arundell forces new attack early the 6th of August Lord Grey commented never seen like nor taken part murderous fray. Some 2,000 soldiers died battle Clyst Heath group Devon men went north valley Exe overtaken Sir Gawen Carew left corpses leaders hanging gibbets Dunster Bath.
Russell pitched camp Clyst Heath where had up to 900 bound gagged rebel prisoners killed throats slit 10 minutes according chronicler John Hayward. Some historians interpret Hayward's 900 belonging previous day fighting massacre numbering less than this. When news atrocity reached Arundell forces new attack took place early the 6th of August Lord Grey later commented never seen like nor taken part such murderous fray. As led charge against Scots Battle Pinkie Cleugh telling statement. Some 2,000 soldiers died battle Clyst Heath group Devon men went north valley Exe overtaken Sir Gawen Carew left corpses leaders hanging gibbets Dunster Bath.
Lord Russell continued attack relief Exeter London proclamation issued allowing lands involved uprising confiscated. Arundell estate transferred Sir Gawen Carew Sir Peter Carew rewarded John Winslade estate Devon Robert Welch vicar St Thomas near Exeter hanged chains own church tower Russell forces priests Richard Bennett vicar St Veep St Neot Simon Morton vicar Poundstock curate Pillaton executed.
Many involved rebellion initially escaped grasp government forces including Arundell fled Launceston captured taken London together Winslade caught Bodmin. Arundell found guilty treason hanged drawn quartered landholdings taken Carew. Total estimated 5,500 people died during rebellion Further orders issued behalf king Duke Somerset Archbishop Thomas Cranmer government forces instruct carry pacification operations West Country leadership Sir Anthony Kingston. Kingston subsequently ordered executions numerous individuals suspected involvement rebellion part post-rebellion reprisals included figures mayor Bodmin Nicholas Boyer portreeve St Ives John Payne mayor Gluvian William Mayow latter hanged outside tavern St Columb.
In aftermath rebellion government came associate Cornish language sedition backwardness one reasons Book Common Prayer never translated Cornish unlike Welsh proposals done so suppressed rebellion's aftermath. Failure translate Book Common Prayer into Cornish led language rapid decline 16th 17th centuries point 1700 Cornish become endangered language James Whetter history Glasney College Tabb House 1988.
June 2007 Bishop Truro Bill Ind awarded Trelawny Plate award given people seen making outstanding contribution Cornish life. During acceptance award Ind made speech apologised suppression rebellion stating often
asked attitude Prayerbook Rebellion opinion doubt English Government behaved brutally stupidly killed many Cornish people think apologising something happened over 500 years helps sorry happened enormous mistake.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
What caused the Prayer Book Rebellion in Cornwall and Devon?
The Prayer Book Rebellion was triggered by Lord Protector Somerset's introduction of Protestant religious reforms in 1549, which threatened traditional Catholic practices and the Cornish language. Economic pressures from a poll tax on sheep compounded these tensions, leading to widespread resistance among local populations.
When did the Prayer Book Rebellion begin and end?
The rebellion began after Whitsunday 1549 when parishioners in Sampford Courtenay forced their priest to revert to old services. The conflict concluded with the Battle of Clyst Heath on the 6th of August 1549, where rebel forces were decisively defeated.
Who led the Prayer Book Rebellion in Cornwall and Devon?
Cornish rebels gathered at Bodmin under the leadership of mayor Henry Bray and landowners Sir Humphrey Arundell Helland and John Winslade Tregarrick. Devonian knights Sir Gawen Carew and Sir Peter Carew negotiated with the rebels before joining the fight against government forces.
How many people died during the Prayer Book Rebellion?
An estimated 5,500 people died during the Prayer Book Rebellion, including casualties from battles such as the Battle of Clyst Heath. Lord Russell's troops killed up to 900 bound rebel prisoners by slitting their throats within 10 minutes according to chronicler John Hayward.
Why was the Book Common Prayer not translated into Cornish?
Following the rebellion, the English Government associated the Cornish language with sedition and backwardness, leading to the suppression of any translation efforts. This failure to translate the Book Common Prayer contributed to the rapid decline of the Cornish language throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.