Jack Cade's Rebellion

Quick Facts: Who was Jack Cade's Rebellion?

Subject:

Jack Cade's Rebellion

Known for:

A major popular revolt in 1450 against corrupt governance in England.

Died:

1450-07-12

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Jack Cade's Rebellion or Cade's Rebellion was a popular revolt in 1450 against the government of England, which took place in South East England between the months of April and July. It stemmed from local grievances regarding the corruption, maladministration and abuse of power of the king's closest advisors and local officials, as well as recent military losses in France during the Hundred Years' War. Leading an army of men from South East England, Jack Cade marched on London in order to force the government to reform the administration and remove from power the "traitors" deemed responsible for bad governance. Apart from the Cornish rebellion of 1497, it was the largest popular uprising to take place in England during the 15th century. Despite Cade's attempt to keep his men under control, once the rebel forces had entered London they began to loot.

Career & Major Achievements

The citizens of London turned on the rebels and forced them out of the city in a bloody battle on London Bridge. To end the bloodshed the rebels were issued pardons by the king and told to return home. Cade fled but was later caught on 12 July 1450 by Alexander Iden, a future High Sheriff of Kent. As a result of the skirmish with Iden, the mortally wounded Cade died before reaching London for trial. The Jack Cade Rebellion has been perceived as a reflection of the social, political, and economic issues of the time period and as a precursor to the Wars of the Roses, which saw the decline of the Lancaster dynasty and the rise of the House of York.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Very little is known about the identity and origins of Jack Cade. Given that the rebel leader did not leave behind any personal documents, and the use of aliases was common among rebels, historians are forced to base their claims on rumour and speculation. According to Mark Antony Lower, Jack (or John) Cade was probably born in Sussex between 1420 and 1430 and historians agree for certain that he was a member of the lower ranks of society. During the rebellion of 1450, Cade took on the title of "Captain of Kent" and adopted the alias "John Mortimer". The name "Mortimer" had negative connotations for King Henry VI and his associates because Henry's main rival for the throne of England was Richard, Duke of York, who had Mortimer ancestry on his mother's side and thus descent from Edward III.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1420: 1420 Milestone — According to Mark Antony Lower, Jack (or John) Cade was probably born in Sussex between 1420 and 1430 and historians agree for certain that he was a member of the lower ranks of society.
2. 1450 (1450-07-12): Passing & Historical Legacy — Jack Cade's Rebellion passed away on 1450-07-12, leaving an enduring historical legacy.
3. 1497: 1497 Milestone — Apart from the Cornish rebellion of 1497, it was the largest popular uprising to take place in England during the 15th century.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Jack Cade's Rebellion

True or False: “The rebellion was primarily sparked by the King's direct refusal to address local grievances regarding corruption.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the king failed to act, the revolt stemmed from a combination of local grievances, maladministration, and general unrest following military losses.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Agnès Sorel — Contemporary (Died in 1450) (1450): The celebrated and first officially recognized royal mistress of Charles VII of France.
• Ahuitzotl — Contemporary (Born in 1450) (1450): Eighth Aztec ruler and Huey Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan, key to Aztec expansion.
• Francisco de Almeida — Contemporary (Born in 1450) (1450): Portuguese nobleman, soldier, and key architect of Portuguese power in the Indian Ocean.
• Alexander Cartwright — Shared historical date (07-12 · Died) (1892): Founding member of the Knickerbockers and developer of early baseball rules.
• Alexander Hamilton — Shared historical date (07-12 · Died) (1804): American Founding Father, first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, and Federalist leader.
• Gaspar Corte-Real — Historical peer (Born in 1450) (1450): Portuguese explorer known for voyages to the Azores and North America.
• Hieronymus Bosch — Historical peer (Born in 1450) (1450): Master of Early Netherlandish painting, known for fantastic religious visions.
• Jean Fouquet — Historical peer (Born in 1420) (1420): Master French painter, pioneer of the portrait miniature, bridging Gothic and Renaissance styles.
• Sesshū Tōyō — Historical peer (Born in 1420) (1420): Zen master and unparalleled painter of Japanese ink landscapes.
• Andrei Rublev — Historical peer (Died in 1430) (1430): Master painter of Orthodox icons and frescoes, revered as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
• 1450 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1450
• July 12 (07-12) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 12

Frequently Asked Questions about Jack Cade's Rebellion