On This Day (07 Dec) in 1549, Robert Kett, the leader of 'Kett's Rebellion', and his brother William Kett were executed in Norfolk.
In the summer of 1549, local peasants and farmers, in response to land enclosures, which had led to eviction from land and property and a monopoly on land by a small number of owners, started to revolt. They were led by Robert Kett, a wealthy Norwich multi-generational farmer. One of the first targeted landowners was Sir John Flowerdew, brother-in-law of 17yo Amy Robsart.
An army of 1400 men was sent by Edward Seymour, Edward VI's Lord Protector, led by William Parr, Marquess of Northampton, to quell in Jul 1549, but had been defeated, with the rebels were gaining increasing local support. In Aug 1549, further military support of 14000 men, led by John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, was therefore sent to Norfolk.
Dudley took with him two of his sons, Ambrose and Robert, this being their first exposure of 'warfare'. On their arrival in Norfolk, Dudley and his sons lodged at the home of Sir John Robsart (another targeted landowner) in Wymondham, with the army encamped on his lands. Joined by Northampton, Dudley and his army entered Norwich on 24 Aug, and fighting took place over the next few days, culminating in the final battle on 27 Aug, where 3000 rebels lost their lives.
In the immediate aftermath of the rebellion, captured prisoners were tried and executed; it was said that 49 prisoners were hanged at Norwich. However, around the same amount were released and pardoned the following year.
Following their arrests, the Kett brothers were taken to London, and held at the Tower of London. They stood trial at Westminster Hall on 26 Nov 1549, where they were found guilty of treason, by inciting 'sedition, rebellion, and insurrection' and were sentenced to death. They were consequently returned to Norfolk for their sentences to be carried out. On 07 Dec, Robert was hanged by chains from the side of Norwich Castle, whilst William was hanged from the west tower of Wymondham Abbey.
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