ABSTRACT
Carew retorted that as the man on the spot he had taken the measures demanded by the situation, the fact being that so far from dispersing peaceably, the rioters had refused even to listen to him. The sluggishness of the government’s reaction indicates that the intelligence reaching it not only underestimated the revolt, but was also sufficiently ambiguous to justify a policy of minimising the danger. The low key approach pervades Lord Russell’s original brief which reflects the knowledge of the dispersal of the insurgents at Crediton, but not the reaction provoked by the incident. The justices of the peace were urged to continue talking with the people, to plead with them even, to point out how unkind it was of them to take a mean advantage of the King’s youthfulness, stressing the consequent dishonour and insecurity to the whole kingdom, and the encouragement they must surely be giving to the French and other foes.
