Revolt in the West: The Western Rebellion of 1549

by John Sturt

108 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1987

Reviews

[Bill38silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written local narrative of a rebellion in the West (Devon and Cornwall) at a time of much upheaval nationally. The Lord Protector, Somerset, had to contend with many ills in the troubled period following the death of Henry the Eighth, both economic and social but compounded the oppression and injustice by ill-advised imposition of changes in the English Prayer Book. Wavering between conciliation and brutal treatment of any opposition, Somerset dithered and from London directed in great detail the commander of his forces, Lord Russell, even before his army was assembled.

Once the government forces were in place the result was inevitable. The rebels got as far as laying seige to the main town of Exeter but had no chance of escaping a brutal and savage fate. The retribution exacted on a huge number of local people is described in considerable detail. There are some interesting and also ghastly, gratuitously cruel men mentioned in the text. By the end of 106 pages I had had enough of this revolting episode in English history.

[Andrew McAuley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've got quite a collection from 'Devon Books' and found that they can generally be hit or miss. This one is definitely a hit.

Despite the fairly low page number, a the author has managed to not only cram in as much info and detail as possible, but to do so with a wonderfully entertaining narrative and still leave room for perhaps two dozen photographs, maps, and illustrations.

Making use of primary and secondary sources, the slightly more than 100 pages used to tell the story of the Prayerbook Rebellion seems to be just about enough in this case. I was entertained throughout - a thoroughly good read.

[Robert Hepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1987, Revolt in the West tells the tale of the rebellion against the Reformation centred around Devon in 1549, and resulting in the siege of Exeter. At only 108 pages, the author tells a fast-paced tale that reads at times like a good novel with lots of gratuitous violence. A really fascinating read about a historical event that I knew nothing at all about, so very informative for me.