Today I want to briefly step away from the Tudors which we have been exploring for last few weeks and travel back a little further to one of the most remarkable moments of medieval England. I want to tell you about the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, a time when ordinary people came together and demanded change. They wanted to challenge the system, one that they felt was unfair.
In the middle of the fourteenth century, England had been devastated by the Black Death. The disease had killed a large part of the population. It had left villages changed forever. For the people who had survived, new opportunities were beginning to appear. Workers were suddenly in much greater demand because there were less people available to do the work. Many had hoped that this would mean better wages and by extension that their lives and that of their families would have improved.
Not everyone welcomed the changes. Landowners and officials tried to keep wages under control and to prevent workers from getting too much freedom.
Government also needed more money to help fund wars abroad. Several taxes were introduced, including a poll tax that demanded the same amount of money from everyone regardless of how wealthy they were. Many people thought this was grossly unfair. Families that were already struggling to make ends meet were being asked to contribute just as much as people who had huge wealth.
By 1381, the resentment had been building for years. Many labourers, craftsmen and villagers were feeling ignored and burdened by the rules that seemed to be designed to benefit others. When the tax collectors arrived demanding their payment, the anger that had been brewing erupted and it turned into resistance. What started as small localised unrest quickly spread across parts of southern and eastern England.
Groups of rebels began to meet up and unite. One of their most famous leaders was Wat Tyler. The priest John Ball was also an inspiration, he had encouraged people to question why society was so unequal. His message had resonated with many people who believed that they deserved fairer.
The rebels marched towards London, they gathered supporters along the way. For many, the journey must have been a mix of emotions. Was there fear or some level of determination and maybe even excitement?
When they eventually reached London, some of the government buildings were attacked and important records were destroyed. The authorities were unable to ignore what was happening. The young king, Richard II, agreed to meet with some of the representatives of the rebels. For a while, it seemed possible that some of the rebels demands might actually be met.
But during a meeting at Smithfield, Wat Tyler was killed. The loss of their leader weakened the rebel movement, and many of them started to return home. Royal authority was then restored, and many of the promises that had been made were withdrawn. Some of the protest leaders were arrested and had to face harsh punishments for their involvement. A clear warning should anyone think of rising up again.
Their actions revealed the growing tensions in medieval society.
Would you have been brave enough to join the revolt?
Image info:
Artist: Jean Froissart
Date: 1401-1500
Collection: Bibliothèque nationale de France
Richard II meeting the rebels, 1381.
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