THE COMMOTION TIME

◗ Ed Fox ◗ Helion (2020) ◗ £25 ◗ 229 pages (softback) ◗ ISBN:9781913118792 ◗ helion.co.uk

The title sounds like the daily arrival of the doughnut van at the Editor’s offices... (what are you saying Mr Jarvis! Ed.)

1549 saw a number of rebellions and ‘commotions’in England, and the author focuses on the West Country so-called Prayer Book Rebellion – discontent at the loss of key aspects of the Catholic religion as well as various taxation issues. Both sides comprised mainly militia, but with bands of mercenaries in the Royal army (arquebusiers, and a mix of heavy and light horse and possibly landsknechts): these were no ‘pitchfork and scythe’ armies.

The author writes very well, and has used contemporary archives and muster rolls to give a convincing picture of likely troops and engagements, supported by useful battlefield sketches and photos and set within a full profile of the social, economic and religious background. This would make a handy little campaign, with a relatively small number of troops but asymmetric sides: the rebels had no cavalry, but a tough mix of bills and bows fighting for what they saw as their traditional way of life. A thoroughly engaging book