The Kett Rebellion

The Kett rebellion was a momentus part of Norfolk's history. It began near what is modern day Whymondham in 1549 and was lead by Robert "Ben" Kett; who was originally a target of the Norwich rebels who inturn agreed to lead them instead of meeting his fate at their hands.

Kett's rebellion started in Whymondham as some rioters tore out fencing placed around some land by the lord of the manor, they thought what they were doing was legal however, as the King had issued a proclemation against illegal enclousures.

The locals of Whymondham then held a celebratory annual feast in honor of ST.Thomas Beckett, the co-patron of Whymondham Abbey, on the weekend of the 6th of July 1549. This, however, was illegal as Henry VIII decreed in 1538 that "the name of Thomas Becket should be removed from the church calendar". The following Monday groups of rebels set off to the villages of Hethersett and Morley St.Botolph to tear down more hedges and fences. One of the groups first targets for blood was Flowerdew, who was unpopular in the area for the part he played in the destruction of Whymondham Abbey during the dissolution of the monastries that took place under Henry VIII's reign. Flowerdew bribed the rebels and, inturn, told them to attack the enclosures of Robert Kett.