Thomas Flamank
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thomas Flamank (executed June 24, 1497) was a lawyer from Cornwall who together with Michael An Gof led the Cornish Rebellion against taxes in 1497.
The Cornish believed their distance from Scotland – on whom the war taxes were to be used against – were too far from Cornwall to concern them, so refused to pay. Having stirred up the people of St. Keverne, Cornwall, into open rebellion, Flamank and An Gof led an increasing number of discontented peasants to London to protest and persuade King Henry VII to cancel the taxation.
Reaching Blackheath outside London, Flamank and his fellow rebel leaders were forced into battle against the King's army in the Battle of Deptford Bridge, where they were soundly beaten. Flamank was captured on the battlefield, and was taken to the Tower of London. He was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn for his part in the rebellion, on June 24, along with An Gof.
An Gof before his execution is recorded to have said that he should have "a name perpetual and a fame permanent and immortal". Thomas Flamank was quoted in 1497 as saying - "Speak the truth and only then can you be free of your chains" In 1997, the five-hunderedth anniversary of the Rebellion, a commemorative march ("Keskerdh Kernow 500") was held, retracing the route of the original march from St. Keverne in Cornwall to London. A statue depicting An Gof and Flamank was unveiled in St. Keverne and a commemorative plaque was unveiled on Blackheath common. Similarly, en route, at Guildford at the location of a preliminary skirmish.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Thomas Flamank 1497
- Mychal Josef an Gof "The Smith"
- The Battle of Deptford Bridge (Blackheath) 1497
- The Cornish Rebellion
- "A name perpetual and a fame permanent and immortal"
- The Black Heath Rebellion
- The Black Heath Rebellion, 16 June 1497
- Thomas Flamank
- Michael An Gof, the Cornish Blacksmith
- Michael Joseph
- 1997 Keskerdh Kernow 500
