Rebellion of John Cade

Historical Context Note

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In 1450, Jack Cade organised a manifesto of grievances entitlted 'The Complaint of the Poor Commons of Kent'. This accused Henry VI's court of injustice to his subjects. It focused on the fact that Kentish people had been blamed for the death of William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, who had been exiled and shipwrecked off the Kentish coast. However, underlying discontents may have arisen from defeats in the Hundred Years' War against France despite heavy taxation, and troops returning from France to Kent. They marched on London, where Cade declared himself Lord Mayor. Cade had vowed to prevent any looting by his followers, but this intention soon fell through, and they were repressed by force in a battle on London Bridge. The King initially issued pardons and promised to comply with the…

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1994 Rebellion of John Cade 2 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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