KETT'S REBELLION. A popular outbreak which took place in Norfolk, England, in 1549, under the leadership of Robert and William Kett, brothers. They are mentioned as a tanner and a mercer, living in Wymondham, Norfolk; but both were landholders of consequence, Robert holding the Manor of Wymondham, besides other lands. He was the chief leader of the revolt, although assisted by William and two other brothers. The revolt originated in a local dis turbance at Wymondham, caused by the harsh ness of the new landlord, to whom the Priory of Wymondharn had been given upon the dissolution of the monasteries. Kett led the insurgents to Norfolk, establishing a camp on Mousehold Heath near by. where his forces increased to the number of 16,000 men. He maintained excellent order, establishing his tribunal under an oak-tree, which long bore the name of 'Kett's Oak.' There the delegates of twenty-one hundreds of Norfolk and one hundred of Suffolk met and drew up a petition of their grievances, which was sent to the Privy Council in London. From this petition it
is evident that the revolt was chiefly directed against the inclosures of the common land, and the consequent eviction of the tenantry, all of which was being done contrary to custom and to laws recently enacted by Parliament. The petition also contained moderate demands for the redressal of other feudal wrongs, one of which specified that all bondmen be made free. On August I Kett captured Norfolk, putting to rout a force of 2500 men sent to its rescue. The re volt was finally suppressed by a force under the Earl of Warwick, in a bloody battle at Dussin dale, in which more than 3500 of the insurgents were killed. He gained this victory through a force of German lanzknechts, whose firearms the insurgents were unable to withstand. Both of the Ketts were captured and suffered death on the gallows. Consult Russel, Kett's Rebellion (London, 1850).