Cade, Jack (?-1450), led a rebellion in 1450 directed against waste and corruption in the government of King Henry VI of England. Historians usually refer to it as Jack Cade’s Rebellion. The rebels consisted mainly of peasants, craftsmen, and small landowners from Kent, England. They defeated Henry’s troops at Sevenoaks, Kent, and entered London. The rebels executed the king’s treasurer and the sheriff of Kent. Negotiations were held, the rebels were promised concessions and pardons, and they disbanded. But Cade’s pardon was revoked, and the new sheriff of Kent hunted him down. On July 12, 1450, Cade was captured near Heathfield, in East Sussex, England. He was fatally wounded during the capture and died while being transported to London.
