Robert Kett is known to history thanks to his efforts to halt the English royal practice of Enclosure.

Beginning during the Tudor period, large numbers of farmers turned from growing crops to raising sheep and other livestock. Livestock required immense stretches of land for pasture, and so lands that had previously been held as common to all people, for hunting, fishing, grazing, growing crops and harvesting, were suddenly off limits. The reason so many turned to sheep farming had to do with much higher profits. Those who could afford to do so bought up as much land as possible, including lands surrounding country villages.

For centuries such people had relied on the common lands for small grazing and personal gardening, and even hunting. Even as late as the nineteenth century the practice of enclosure continued, displacing hundreds of thousands of people, who for centuries had lived off the common lands.

Robert Kett was born into a farm family and eventually became a landowner of substantial acreage. He experienced the fears and frustrations of villagers first hand, as he saw others tearing down hedges he had put in place for his sheep pastures. Landless people had become so angered that they began to tear down the fences and hedges that were put in place to mark off lands that were now privately held. Such people were usually severely punished, if caught.

A reprieve came in the summer of 1549, when the young King Edward VI pardoned everyone who had removed the hedges or fences. People assumed that the king disapproved of Enclosure and some set about destroying hedges and fencing all over the country. At this point, Kett acknowledged that it was wrong to block off commonly held lands and he agreed to help those protesting Enclosure, including attempting to persuade his fellow landowners from creating their own hedges or fences.

Kett was a well-spoken man who had the benefit of education, and so people were eager to ask him to speak on their behalf. He suggested to the crowds of protesters that they all march to Norwich. As they marched, other people joined them. By the time they reached their destination, Kett had sixteen thousand followers. The city was forewarned and forbade the crowd from entering. This did not stop the mob led by Kett. Thousands stormed the city walls and entered the city. Back in London, the government was stunned at the actions of Kett and his followers.

Kett formed a council, who devised a document detailing their demands, and had it sent to King Edward, who responded by sending John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, along with a large army, to put down the protest. Kett decided to arm his men and send them into direct battle with the king's army. The landless people had no chance and were butchered quickly. Most of those who survived the carnage, including Kett, were captured and executed for treason.