Thomas Flamank
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Image:Flag of Cornwall.svg Thomas Flamank 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, and refused to pay. Having stirred up the people of St. Keverne, Cornwall, into open rebellion, he led an increasing number of discontented peasants to London to protest and, ultimately, force 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"
1997 was the 500th anniversary of the Cornish uprising and a commemorative march (Keskerdh Kernow 500) was held, which retraced the route of the original march from St Keverne, Cornwall to London. A statue depicting An Gof and Flamank was unveiled at An Gof's home town of St. Keverne and a commemorative plaque was also unveiled on Blackheath common.
