Peasants' Revolt
In 1348, a plague known as the Black Death crossed from mainland Europe into England. It rapidly killed an estimated 50 percent of the population. This demographic collapse created a labor shortage that allowed surviving workers to demand higher wages. Landowners saw their profits erode as they competed for fewer hands to work their fields. The royal government responded with emergency legislation in 1349 called the Ordinance of Labourers. A second Statute of Labourers followed in 1351 to fix wages at pre-plague levels. These laws made it a crime to refuse work or break existing contracts. Enforcement fell to Justices of the Peace, typically members of the local gentry who were also landowners. They applied these rules arbitrarily against laborers while ignoring violations by employers. By the 1370s, rural wages had risen significantly, increasing purchasing power by around 40 percent between the 1340s and 1380s. Parliament attempted to curb this wealth through sumptuary laws in 1363 but found them unenforceable. Meanwhile, the Hundred Years War raged on, draining the treasury. Charles V of France became more active after 1369, launching cross-Channel raids. Garrisons in Calais and Brest alone cost £36,000 annually to maintain. Military expeditions could consume £50,000 in just six months. Edward III died in 1377, leaving the throne to his ten-year-old grandson Richard II. His government relied heavily on John of Gaunt and former senior officials from his grandfather's reign. To fund the war, they introduced a poll tax in 1377 levied at four pence per person over age 14. This flat rate proved extremely unpopular yet raised £22,000. A second poll tax with sliding scales for seven social classes raised only £18,600 instead of the hoped-for £50,000. In November 1380, Parliament met in Northampton where Archbishop Simon Sudbury warned of a £160,000 deficit. They passed a third poll tax as a flat rate of 12 pence on everyone over 15. This final levy sparked widespread evasion and resentment across the south-east.
On the 30th of May 1381, royal official John Bampton arrived in Essex to collect unpaid poll taxes. He summoned representatives from Brentwood, Corringham, Fobbing, and Stanford-le-Hope to explain shortfalls. Villagers arrived armed with old bows and sticks. Thomas Baker declared that Fobbing had already paid its taxes and refused further payment. When Bampton tried to arrest him, violence erupted immediately. Three clerks and several jurors were killed before Bampton escaped back to London. The revolt spread rapidly through Essex and Kent. By the 4th of June, rebels gathered at Bocking to discuss their next moves. John Wrawe led a group north into Suffolk while others marched toward London. In Kent, Sir Simon de Burley sent sergeants to Gravesend to reclaim an escaped serf named Robert Belling. Local bailiffs negotiated unsuccessfully for money instead of imprisonment. A furious crowd gathered at Dartford possibly on the 5th of June. They traveled to Maidstone where they stormed the prison. On the 6th of June, crowds reached Rochester Castle which surrendered without a fight. Wat Tyler emerged as leader after a large gathering at Maidstone on the 7th of June. Chroniclers suggest he was elected there though little is known about his earlier life. He may have served in France as an archer before becoming a charismatic figurehead. Tyler persuaded thousands to leave Canterbury and advance on London the following morning. The Kentish force met Lady Joan, the King's mother, who was traveling back to the capital. She was mocked but left unharmed. Rebels reached Blackheath just south-east of the capital on the 12th of June. Word had reached Richard II at Windsor Castle on the night of the 10th of June. He retreated to the Tower of London for safety. A delegation headed by Thomas Brinton, Bishop of Rochester, tried to negotiate with them. At Blackheath, John Ball delivered a famous sermon asking when Adam delved and Eve span who was then a gentleman. This rhetoric emphasized opposition to serfdom while claiming loyalty to the monarchy. The rebels rejected proposals to return home and prepared to march forward.
Richard sailed from the Tower on the morning of the 13th of June to meet the rebel crowds across the Thames. Negotiations failed because the King refused to come ashore while rebels demanded he enter discussions first. He returned to the Tower that same day. On the 14th of June, rebels entered London through Southwark and Aldgate after defences were opened from inside. They swept west through the city center attacking prisons and burning law books in the Temple complex. The Savoy Palace belonging to John of Gaunt was systematically destroyed. Chronicler Henry Knighton noted it contained quantities of silver plate worth around £10,000. Rebels burned soft furnishings smashed precious metal work crushed gems and threw remains into drains. Almost nothing was stolen as they declared themselves zealots for truth not thieves. That evening forces gathered outside the Tower where Richard watched fires burn across the city. The following day Richard met rebels at Mile End in east London taking only a small bodyguard. They presented demands including abolition of serfdom and surrender of hated officials. Richard issued charters announcing the end of serfdom which began spreading immediately. While negotiations continued elsewhere rebels stormed the Tower itself. Around 400 rebels entered encountering no resistance since guards feared them. Inside they found Archbishop Sudbury and Robert Hales in the chapel of the White Tower. Both men were taken out to Tower Hill and beheaded. Their heads were paraded around the city before being affixed to London Bridge. Rebels also discovered Lady Joan and Joan Holland but let them go unharmed after mocking them. On the 15th of June remaining rebels agreed to meet Richard again at Smithfield just outside city walls. Tyler greeted the King with excessive familiarity calling him brother. An argument broke out between Tyler and royal servants when he demanded refreshment. Lord Mayor William Walworth intervened and stabbed Tyler who then attempted to attack the mayor. Royal soldiers leaped in while Ralph Standish repeatedly stabbed Tyler mortally injuring him. Tyler's head was cut off and displayed on a pole. With their leader dead the rebel movement collapsed as Walworth regained control backed by reinforcements.
While events unfolded in London John Wrawe led forces into Suffolk where almost as many rebels existed. Major nobles failed to organize defenses allowing fortifications to fall easily. On the 12th of June Wrawe attacked Sir Richard Lyons property at Overhall advancing to Cavendish and Bury St Edmunds. Prior John Cambridge fled but was found two days later and beheaded. Small bands marched north to Thetford extorting protection money from towns. Another group tracked down Chief Justice John Cavendish killing him in Lakenheath. John Battisford and Thomas Sampson independently led revolts near Ipswich on the 14th of June taking the town without opposition. Violence spread further burning court records and forcing officials like Edmund Lakenheath to flee by boat. Revolt stirred in St Albans late on the 13th of June when news broke of London events. Protesters met Abbot Thomas de la Mare demanding freedom from abbey privileges. William Grindecobbe traveled to London appealing for rights abolition before returning to break open the prison. They destroyed fences marking abbey lands and burned records in the town square. In Cambridgeshire a revolt backed by Mayor broke out targeting Corpus Christi College which had connections to John of Gaunt. Rebels ransacked buildings attempting to execute bedel who escaped then burnt library archives while Margery Starre led mobs dancing to cries against learning clerks. The university negotiated new charters giving up royal privileges next day. Unrest spread toward Ely where prison opened and local Justice executed. In Norfolk Geoffrey Litster weaver began sending messengers calling arms on the 14th of June isolated violence occurred until rebels assembled outside Norwich on the 17th of June killing Sir Robert Salle defending city gates. People opened gates letting rebels enter looting buildings killing Reginald Eccles official. Earl William de Ufford fled estates traveling disguised to London while other gentry captured forced play roles royal household working for Litster. Northern England saw revolts particularly in Beverley where violence broke between richer mercantile elite poorer townspeople during May. By month end rebels took power replacing administration with their own. Attempts to enlist Archbishop Alexander Neville support failed though peace restored June 1382 tensions simmered years. Word reached York around the 17th of June attacks breaking properties Dominican Franciscan friaries religious institutions continuing weeks July armed men under John de Gisbourne forcing way into city seizing control mayor Simon de Quixlay gradually reclaiming authority properly restored 1382. Scarborough riots erupted the 23rd of June rebels dressed white hoods red tail back deposing government members nearly lynching tax collector elite reestablished power by 1382. Somerset town Bridgwater revolt broke out the 19th of June led Thomas Ingleby Adam Brugge attacking Augustine house forcing master surrender privileges pay ransom turning John Sydenham manor burning paperwork executing Walter Baron local man Ilchester prison stormed unpopular prisoner executed.
Royal suppression began shortly after Wat Tyler death on the 15th of June Sir Robert Knolles Nicholas Brembre Robert Launde appointed restore capital control. Summons put out soldiers probably around 4,000 mustered London expeditions followed troubled parts country. East Anglia independently suppressed Henry Despenser Bishop Norwich marching south Stamford Lincolnshire eight men-at-arms small archer force gathering more en route. He routed Peterborough locals executing captured including those sheltering abbey heading southeast via Huntingdon Ely reaching Cambridge the 19th of June tracking Geoffrey Litster Norfolk forces met Battle North Walsham 25 or the 26th of June triumphed capturing executing Litster. Quick action essential unusual taking matters hands execution illegal without royal sanction. King dispatched half-brother Thomas Holland Sir Thomas Trivet Kent restoring order holding courts Maidstone Rochester. William de Ufford Earl Suffolk returned county the 23rd of June 500 men subduing area holding court Mildenhall sentencing accused death moving Norfolk the 6th of July holding court Norwich Great Yarmouth Hacking Hugh Lord la Zouche led proceedings Cambridgeshire Abbot arrested William Grindecobbe main supporters St Albans. King uncle Thomas Woodstock Robert Tresilian Chief Justice given special commissions whole England overseeing Essex backed substantial military force resistance continuing state unrest Richard visited Essex meeting rebel delegation seeking confirmation grants Mile End rejecting allegedly telling rustics you were rustics still remain bondage incomparably harsher. Tresilian joined Thomas carrying out 31 executions Chelmsford traveling St Albans July further trials utilizing dubious techniques ensure convictions Thomas Gloucester 200 soldiers suppressing unrest Henry Percy Earl Northumberland tasked restoring Yorkshire order wide range laws invoked general treason charges book burning demolishing houses complicated narrow definition treason use informants denunciations common causing fear spread November at least 1,500 executed killed battle. Those losing property attempted seek legal compensation John Gaunt tracking responsible Savoy Palace destruction limited success defendants rarely willing attend court last resolved 1387. Rebel leaders quickly rounded up Jack Straw captured London executed John Ball caught Coventry tried St Albans executed the 15th of July Grindecobbe also tried executed St Albans Wrawe tried London probably giving evidence 24 colleagues hope pardon sentenced hanged drawn quartered the 6th of May 1382 Sir Roger Bacon probably arrested final Norfolk battle tried imprisoned Tower finally pardoned Crown September 1381 Thomas Ingleby Bridgwater successfully evaded authorities women like Johanna Ferrour prominent role revolt no evidence found women executed punished harshly male counterparts.
Contemporary chroniclers formed important sources historians biased rebel cause portraying rebels beasts monstrosities misguided fools words historian Susan Crane. London chroniclers unwilling admit role ordinary Londoners revolt preferring place blame entirely rural peasants south-east among key accounts anonymous Anonimalle Chronicle author appears part royal court eye-witness many events London. Chronicler Thomas Walsingham present much revolt focused terror social unrest extremely biased against rebels. Events recorded France Jean Froissart author Chronicles well-placed sources close revolt inclined elaborate known facts colorful stories. No sympathetic accounts rebels survive four centuries chroniclers historians overwhelmingly negative attitudes started change 18th century serfdom long rejected aftermath radicalism associated French Revolution. End 19th century surge historical interest Peasants Revolt spurred contemporary growth labour socialist movements work Charles Oman Edgar Powell André Réville G M Trevelyan established course revolt. By 1907 accounts chroniclers widely available print main public records concerning events identified. Réville began use legal indictments used suspected rebels fresh source historical information over next century extensive research carried out local economic social history revolt using scattered local sources across south-east England. Interpretations changed years Historians 17th century John Smyth established idea revolt marked end unfree labor serfdom. Historians 19th century William Stubbs Thorold Rogers reinforced conclusion Stubbs describing one most portentous events whole our history. 20th century interpretation increasingly challenged historians May McKisack Michael Postan Richard Dobson revised impact further political economic events England. Mid-20th century Marxist historians interested generally sympathetic rebel cause trend culminating Hilton 1973 account uprising set wider context peasant revolts Europe period. Peasants Revolt received more academic attention any other medieval revolt interdisciplinary involving historians literary scholars international collaboration large slate memorial Great Rising commissioned Matthew Bell carved Emily Hoffnung unveiled film director Ken Loach Smithfield the 15th of July 2015.
Poet John Gower close ties officials involved suppression amended famous poem Vox Clamantis inserting section condemning rebels likening wild animals. Geoffrey Chaucer lived Aldgate possibly London during revolt used rebel killing Flemings metaphor wider disorder Nun Priest Tale part Canterbury Tales parodying Gower poem. Although Peasant Revolt mentioned sparingly Chaucer Canterbury Tales one many historical incidents occurred Chaucer life prior popular works Black Death devastation following plague incited peasants survived seek better quality life. Evidence impression revolt made Chaucer seen Miller Prologue Canterbury Tales portrays Miller someone not entirely satisfied typical idea peasant live uses metaphors make implication Miller Prologue notion Miller able tell tale match even better highest-ranking Knights pilgrimage shows rebellion persistence bettering status similar attitudes peasants their revolt. Chaucer otherwise made reference work possibly politically unwise discuss client King William Langland author poem Piers Plowman widely used rebels made various changes text after revolt distance himself cause. Revolt formed basis late 16th-century play Life Death Jack Straw possibly written George Peele originally designed production city guild pageants portrays Jack Straw tragic figure led wrongful rebellion John Ball making clear political links instability late-Elizabethan England 14th century. Story used pamphlets English Civil War 17th century formed part John Cleveland early history war deployed cautionary account political speeches 18th century chapbook entitled History Wat Tyler Jack Strawe proved popular Jacobite risings American War Independence. Historian James Crossley argues French Revolution Peasants Revolt seen more positively especially radicals revolutionaries Thomas Paine Edmund Burke argued lessons drawn Paine expressing sympathy rebels Burke condemning violence Romantic poet Robert Southey based 1794 play Wat Tyler events taking radical pro-rebel perspective. As historian Michael Postan describes became famous landmark social development typical instance working-class revolt oppression widely used 19th 20th century socialist literature. William Morris built Chaucer novel Dream John Ball published 1888 creating narrator openly sympathetic peasant cause albeit 19th-century persona taken back 14th century dream story ends prophecy socialist ideals one day successful turn representation influenced Morris utopian socialist News from Nowhere Florence Converse used revolt novel Long Will 1903. Later 20th century socialists continued draw parallels revolt contemporary political struggles including arguments introduction Community Charge United Kingdom during 1980s. Conspiracy theorists writer John Robinson attempted explain alleged flaws mainstream historical accounts events 1381 speed rebellion coordinated theories include led secret occult organisation called Great Society said offshoot order.
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Common questions
What caused the Peasants Revolt in 1381?
The Peasants Revolt was triggered by a third poll tax of 12 pence on everyone over age 15 passed by Parliament in November 1380. This flat rate levy sparked widespread evasion and resentment across south-east England after previous taxes had already drained resources during the Hundred Years War.
Who led the Peasants Revolt in 1381?
Wat Tyler emerged as leader after a large gathering at Maidstone on the 7th of June 1381 though little is known about his earlier life. John Wrawe led forces north into Suffolk while other groups operated independently under figures like Geoffrey Litster in Norfolk and Thomas Ingleby in Somerset.
When did Wat Tyler die during the Peasants Revolt?
Wat Tyler died on the 15th of June 1381 when Lord Mayor William Walworth stabbed him at Smithfield outside London city walls. His head was cut off and displayed on a pole which caused the rebel movement to collapse immediately.
Where did the main events of the Peasants Revolt take place?
Major events occurred in Essex Kent Suffolk Norfolk Cambridgeshire Yorkshire and parts of southern England including Bridgwater and Scarborough. Rebels gathered at Blackheath near London on the 12th of June before entering the capital through Southwark and Aldgate on the 14th of June.
How many people were executed after the Peasants Revolt ended?
At least 1,500 rebels were executed or killed by November 1381 following royal suppression efforts across England. Key leaders including John Ball Jack Straw and Sir Roger Bacon faced execution or imprisonment with some pardons granted later in September 1381.