The Battle of Sampford Courtenay was a notable conflict during the Prayer Book Rebellion in 1549, which arose in response to the imposition of Protestant reforms, notably the English Book of Common Prayer, introduced by Edward VI. The rebels, largely comprised of disaffected Cornish and Devonian peasants, sought to restore traditional Catholic practices and opposed the changes that they felt alienated their faith. The rebellion was emblematic of the larger struggle between Catholic and Protestant factions during the English Reformation, highlighting deep social and religious divides.

In the summer of 1549, tensions escalated as the government moved to suppress the uprising. The rebels quickly assembled and sought to advance their agenda, but government forces under the command of Lord Russell were mobilized to quash the rebellion. The confrontational clash at Sampford Courtenay turned into a brutal encounter, where the well-equipped crown forces faced off against the rebels.

The battle ended in a decisive government victory, significantly diminishing the rebellion's momentum. As a consequence of this defeat, many of the leaders of the rebellion were executed, and the government solidified its control over the region. The suppression of the Prayer Book Rebellion also served to reinforce the English Reformation, as it quelled one of the last major instances of resistance against the Protestant reforms that were reshaping religious practices in England during this tumultuous period.