Peasants' Revolt

The revolt was precipitated by heavy handed attempts to enforce the third poll tax, which had first been levied in 1377 supposedly to finance military campaigns overseas - a continuation of the Hundred Years\' War initiated by King Edward III of England. The third poll tax, unlike the two earlier, was not levied on a flat rate basis (as in 1377) nor according to schedule (as in 1379), but in a manner that appeared more arbitrary and hence unfair. Equally unfair, and a longer-term factor, was the way the Statute of Labourers of 1351 was enforced.
The Black Death, which ravaged England in the period 1348-9 had greatly reduced the labour force and as a consequence labourers were able to demand enhanced terms and conditions. The Statute attempted to cub this by pegging wages and restricting the mobility of labour, but the probable effect was that labourers employed by lords were effectivley exempted, but labourers working for other employers, both artisans and more substantial peasnats, were liable to be fined or held in the stocks.

In June 1381, two groups of common people from the south-eastern counties of Kent and Essex marched on London. The most vociferous of their leaders, Walter or "Wat" Tyler, was at the head of a contingent from Kent. When the rebels arrived in Blackheath on June 12, the renegade Lollard priest, John Ball, preached a sermon which included the famous question which has echoed down the centuries "When Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?"^[1]. Encouraged by the sermon, the following day the rebels crossed London Bridge into the heart of the city. Meanwhile the 'Men of Essex' had gathered with Jack Straw at Great Baddow and had marched on London, arriving at Stepney. Instead of what was expected from a riot however, there was a systematic attack only only certain properties, many of them associated with John of Gaunt and/or the Hospitallier Order. On June 14, they are reputed to have been met by the young king himself, and presented him with a series of demands, including the dismissal of some of his more unpopular ministers and the effective abolition of serfdom. At the same time, a group of rebels stormed the Tower of London--after likely being let in--and summarily executed those hiding there like the Lord Chancellor, Archbishop Simon Sudbury (who was particularly associated with the poll tax), and the Lord Treasurer. The Savoy Palace of the king's uncle John of Gaunt was one of the London buildings destroyed by the rioters. Richard II agreed to reforms such as fair rents, and the abolition of serfdom.

At Smithfield, on the following day, further negotiations with the king were arranged, but on this occasion the killing of Wat Tyler led to the dispersal of the rebel group. Most of its leaders were pursued, captured and executed, including John Ball. Following the collapse of the revolt, the king's concessions were quickly revoked, and the tax was levied.

Despite its name, participation in the Peasants' Revolt was not confined to serfs or even to the lower classes. Although the most significant events took place in the capital, there were violent encounters throughout eastern England, but those involved hastened to dissociate themselves in the months that followed.

John Gower, friend of Geoffrey Chaucer, saw the peasants as unjustified in their cause. In his Vox Clamantis, he sees the peasant action as the work of the Anti-Christ and a sign of evil prevailing over virtue.

Froissart's Chronicles devotes twenty pages to the revolt.

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