Revolting

Or

Revolting?

Why Were the Peasants’ so Revolting?

L.O:

1. Identify the causes of the Peasants’ Revolt2. Explain how some causes are connected

Have you ever protested?

I have protested over…… because…….

What can you see happening in these images?

Today we are going to investigate the Peasants’ Revolt. In 1381 the Peasants’ rebelled. There were five reasons why they rebelled.

Use the information on the following slides to complete your worksheet.

Cause 1: The King

Richard II was only 14 years old.

Cause 2: War

England was at war with France – and the war was going badly! The government introduced a new tax called the Poll Tax to pay for the War.

Cause 3: Bad Lords

In 1348 – 51, the Black Death killed many people. There were not enough people left to work on the land.

Some Lords tried to make their Peasants work harder!

Cause 4: John Ball

John Ball was a poor priest who did not like the rich Lords. He said the Lords should give their money to the poor.

Cause 5: Hate

The Peasants hated being

Villeins. They hated being poor and working for the rich Lords. They hated

the Poll Tax and the

War!

The Peasants’ Revolt

In 1381, 20 -30,000 peasants rebelled. They asked Wat Tyler to be their leader. They went to London. They asked the king to set them free.

Richard II went to meet the Peasants. There was a fight and Wat Tyler was killed.

Richard II was brave, “I will be your leader” he told the peasants, “go home”. The peasants went home.

Consequences of the Peasants’ Revolt:

Richard II put many peasants to death. “Villeins you were and villeins you will stay” he told them.

But the Lords saw things would have to change. They set their villeins free – 50 years later their were no villeins in England.

Questions:

1. Which do you think was the most important cause of the Peasants’ Revolt? (explain your answer)

2. Who won the Peasants’ Revolt? (give reasons for your answers).

3. What were the immediate consequences of the Peasants’ Revolt? (short term)

4. What were the long term consequences of the Peasants’ Revolt?