Thomas Flamank

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 – was 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-hundredth 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.

See also

* List of topics related to Cornwall
*
*Second Cornish Uprising of 1497
*Prayer Book Rebellion

External links

* [http://www.cornwallgb.com/cornwall_england_history.html Thomas Flamank 1497]
* [http://www.st-keverne.com/church/an_gof.html Mychal Josef an Gof "The Smith"]
* [http://www.fantompowa.net/Flame/cornish_rebels_1497.html The Battle of Deptford Bridge (Blackheath) 1497]
* [http://www.cornishworldmagazine.co.uk/history/angof.htm The Cornish Rebellion]
* [http://www.trelawnysarmy.org.uk/ta/tatrelny.html "A name perpetual and a fame permanent and immortal"]
* [http://homepages.tesco.net/~k.wasley/Blackheath.htm The Black Heath Rebellion]
* [http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/Documents/the_black_heath_rebellion.htm The Black Heath Rebellion, 16 June 1497]
* [http://kris.rootschat.net/flamankfamily.html Thomas Flamank]
* [http://www.cornwall-calling.co.uk/famous-cornish-people/michael-an-gof.htm Michael An Gof, the Cornish Blacksmith]
* [http://cornishworld.net/HISTORYMAKERS/AnGof.htm Michael Joseph]
* [http://www.justcornish.com/new_store/catalog/catalog/images/popups/L1497.jpg1997 Keskerdh Kernow 500]