The Peasants’ Revolt , 1381

The Peasants’ The Peasants’ RevoltRevolt, , 13811381

How did the How did the peasants get peasants get

out of control?out of control?

How did the How did the peasants get out peasants get out

of control?of control?

It was all over. We had failed. We remaining peasants It was all over. We had failed. We remaining peasants looked up at the rotting bodies of our friends hanging by looked up at the rotting bodies of our friends hanging by chains and ropes from the trees. We wondered why we chains and ropes from the trees. We wondered why we had let ourselves be tricked. It had all changed in those had let ourselves be tricked. It had all changed in those few moments outside the city walls of London. We could few moments outside the city walls of London. We could have taken the life of the boy king. We could have cut have taken the life of the boy king. We could have cut him down in a shower of arrows from our bows. But our him down in a shower of arrows from our bows. But our leader had gone and we just did not know what to do. leader had gone and we just did not know what to do. We had dared to trust our king. We travelled back to We had dared to trust our king. We travelled back to our villages in our thousands. But our young king our villages in our thousands. But our young king Richard had lied. We were not made free. His soldiers Richard had lied. We were not made free. His soldiers had killed our friends. Our revolt had achieved nothing.had killed our friends. Our revolt had achieved nothing.

Testament of a peasant who was present at the Peasants’ Testament of a peasant who was present at the Peasants’ Revolt, 1381Revolt, 1381

What started the What started the Peasants’ Revolt?Peasants’ Revolt?

TrendsTrends & & TriggersTriggers

When historians examine the causes When historians examine the causes of events such as the Peasants’ of events such as the Peasants’ Revolt they sometimes describe Revolt they sometimes describe them as either ‘them as either ‘trendstrends’ or ‘’ or ‘triggerstriggers’.’.

What is the difference?What is the difference?

TrendsTrends

England had been at war with France England had been at war with France for nearly 50 yearsfor nearly 50 years

Since the Black Death wages have been Since the Black Death wages have been going up steadilygoing up steadily

Some peasants have been able to buy Some peasants have been able to buy their freedom, others (villeins) are still their freedom, others (villeins) are still slavesslaves

Priests (Lollards) are telling people that Priests (Lollards) are telling people that they are all the same in God’s eyes!they are all the same in God’s eyes!

TriggersTriggers

In 1351 a new law (Statute of Labourers) In 1351 a new law (Statute of Labourers) fixed wages at 2d a dayfixed wages at 2d a day

A new king, Richard II came to the throne A new king, Richard II came to the throne as a boy of ten. He was under the power of as a boy of ten. He was under the power of his unpopular advisershis unpopular advisers

The war with France had recently got worse The war with France had recently got worse – the French were threatening to invade– the French were threatening to invade

A popular priest called John Ball (a Lollard), A popular priest called John Ball (a Lollard), was imprisoned for his beliefswas imprisoned for his beliefs

Poll taxes – everyone over 15 had to pay 4d!Poll taxes – everyone over 15 had to pay 4d!

TrendsTrends TriggersTriggersEngland had been at war England had been at war with France for nearly 50 with France for nearly 50 yearsyears

In 1351 a new law (Statute In 1351 a new law (Statute of Labourers) fixed wages at of Labourers) fixed wages at 2d a day2d a day

Since the Black Death wages Since the Black Death wages have been going up steadilyhave been going up steadily

A new king, Richard II came A new king, Richard II came to the throne as a boy of ten. to the throne as a boy of ten. He was under the power of He was under the power of his unpopular advisershis unpopular advisers

Some peasants have been Some peasants have been able to buy their freedom, able to buy their freedom, others (villeins) are still others (villeins) are still slavesslaves

The war with France had The war with France had recently got worse – the recently got worse – the French were threatening to French were threatening to invadeinvade

Priests (Lollards) are telling Priests (Lollards) are telling people that they are all the people that they are all the same in God’s eyes!same in God’s eyes!

A popular priest called John A popular priest called John Ball (a Lollard), was Ball (a Lollard), was imprisoned for his beliefsimprisoned for his beliefs

Poll taxes – everyone over 15 Poll taxes – everyone over 15 had to pay 4d!had to pay 4d!

In your own words…In your own words…

What do we mean by a “trend”?What do we mean by a “trend”? What do we mean by a “trigger”?What do we mean by a “trigger”? Complete the trend and trigger chart.Complete the trend and trigger chart. Which trend do you think was the Which trend do you think was the

most important? Explain your most important? Explain your decision.decision.

Which trigger do you think was the Which trigger do you think was the most important? Why?most important? Why?

Who did the Who did the peasants hate peasants hate

most?most?

Who?Who? Why?Why?

JudgeJudgeOwned land which Owned land which peasants and villeins peasants and villeins were forced to work on were forced to work on for little or no moneyfor little or no money

Represented the Represented the established religion (not established religion (not religion of Lollards) and religion of Lollards) and were wealthywere wealthy

King’s advisers King’s advisers (Archbishop Simon (Archbishop Simon Sudbury & Hales)Sudbury & Hales)

Who?Who? Why?Why?

JudgeJudge Sentenced the peasants Sentenced the peasants who had broken the lawwho had broken the law

Local lordsLocal lords Owned land which Owned land which peasants and villeins peasants and villeins were forced to work on were forced to work on for little or no moneyfor little or no money

MonksMonks Represented the Represented the established religion (not established religion (not religion of Lollards) and religion of Lollards) and were wealthywere wealthy

King’s advisers King’s advisers (Archbishop Simon (Archbishop Simon Sudbury & Hales)Sudbury & Hales)

They had come up with They had come up with the idea of the Poll Tax the idea of the Poll Tax and wanted to continue and wanted to continue the war with Francethe war with France

What happened What happened during the during the

Revolt?Revolt?

May 1381May 1381 King’s commissioners are attacked in King’s commissioners are attacked in

Fobbing in Essex whilst trying to collect Fobbing in Essex whilst trying to collect new poll tax. Three commissioners are new poll tax. Three commissioners are beheaded and their heads put on poles beheaded and their heads put on poles and paraded around nearby villages.and paraded around nearby villages.

May 1381May 1381

1000s of peasants meet in Maidstone and 1000s of peasants meet in Maidstone and choose Wat Tyler, former soldier as their choose Wat Tyler, former soldier as their leader. He and his men take over the leader. He and his men take over the king’s castle at Rochester and march into king’s castle at Rochester and march into Canterbury.Canterbury.

Tyler frees John Ball, the troublesome Tyler frees John Ball, the troublesome priest. He’d been imprisoned by the priest. He’d been imprisoned by the Archbishop of Canterbury for stirring up Archbishop of Canterbury for stirring up trouble.trouble.

June 1381June 1381

Peasant numbers had Peasant numbers had reached about reached about 60,00060,000

Peasants are armed Peasants are armed with axes, scythes, with axes, scythes, some even have some even have swords and bows and swords and bows and arrows. They begin to arrows. They begin to march on London to march on London to demand an audience demand an audience with the King.with the King.

Richard II (1377-99)

Thursday 13 June 1381Thursday 13 June 1381

Poor Londoners help peasants get Poor Londoners help peasants get through city gatesthrough city gates

They break into Savoy Palace, home They break into Savoy Palace, home of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and blow it up with dynamiteand blow it up with dynamite

One peasant caught looting is One peasant caught looting is beheadedbeheaded

Thursday 13 June 1381Thursday 13 June 1381

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Simon Sudbury The Archbishop of Canterbury, Simon Sudbury & Hales, the King’s Treasurer flee to the & Hales, the King’s Treasurer flee to the Tower of LondonTower of London

During the night drunken rebels riot. They During the night drunken rebels riot. They attack and destroy the houses of lawyers and attack and destroy the houses of lawyers and foreign traders.foreign traders.

Friday 14 June 1381Friday 14 June 1381 Richard travels by boat Richard travels by boat

along the Thames to along the Thames to meet rebels at Mile End. meet rebels at Mile End. Amazingly, he agrees to Amazingly, he agrees to abolish poll tax and grant abolish poll tax and grant free pardons if they go free pardons if they go home immediately.home immediately.

Peasants break into Peasants break into Tower of London, Tower of London, capture Sudbury & Hales capture Sudbury & Hales and cut off their head and cut off their head (Sudbury’s takes 8 (Sudbury’s takes 8 blows!)blows!)

Sudbury’s decapitated head, preserved in a

parish church

Saturday 15 JuneSaturday 15 June

King meets the King meets the rebels again, rebels again, outside city walls outside city walls at Smithfield.at Smithfield.

Wat Tyler is killed Wat Tyler is killed under mysterious under mysterious circumstancescircumstances

Peasant leaders Peasant leaders are rounded up are rounded up and hanged.and hanged.

TimelineTimeline

Using the information from the Using the information from the powerpoint complete the timeline.powerpoint complete the timeline.

MAYMAY

JUNEJUNE

ThursdaThursday 13 y 13 June June 13811381

Friday Friday 14 June 14 June

13811381

Saturday Saturday 15 June15 June

How was Wat How was Wat Tyler killed?Tyler killed?

Task overview – Task overview – construct a tableconstruct a table

Chronicle 1Chronicle 1 Chronicle 2Chronicle 2

What Wat What Wat Tyler didTyler did

What the What the mayor didmayor did

What the What the king’s man king’s man diddid

Chronicle 1Chronicle 1An extract from an account written by a monk in York in 1399.An extract from an account written by a monk in York in 1399.

““The commons were arrayed in battle The commons were arrayed in battle formation in great numbers. Tyler formation in great numbers. Tyler dismounted, carrying his dagger. He called dismounted, carrying his dagger. He called for some water and rinsed his mouth in a for some water and rinsed his mouth in a very rube disgusting fashion in front of the very rube disgusting fashion in front of the King. One of the King’s men called out that King. One of the King’s men called out that Tyler was the greatest robber in Kent.Tyler was the greatest robber in Kent.

Tyler then made to strike the man with his Tyler then made to strike the man with his dagger. The Mayor of London tried to arrest dagger. The Mayor of London tried to arrest him, and because of this Way stabbed the him, and because of this Way stabbed the Mayor with his dagger in the stomach. But Mayor with his dagger in the stomach. But the Mayor, as it pleased God, was wearing the Mayor, as it pleased God, was wearing armour, and drew his cutlass and gave Wat a armour, and drew his cutlass and gave Wat a deep cut on the neck, and then a great cut deep cut on the neck, and then a great cut on the head.”on the head.”

Chronicle 2Chronicle 2

The death of Wat Tyler as reported in the The death of Wat Tyler as reported in the “Anonimalle Chronicle” in 1381.“Anonimalle Chronicle” in 1381.

““Tyler stabbed the Mayor with his dagger, Tyler stabbed the Mayor with his dagger, but the mayor was wearing armour but the mayor was wearing armour under his robes and was not harmed. under his robes and was not harmed. He drew his sword and struck back. He He drew his sword and struck back. He gave Tyler a deep cut on the neck and gave Tyler a deep cut on the neck and then a great cut on the head. One of the then a great cut on the head. One of the king’s followers drew his sword and ran king’s followers drew his sword and ran Tyler two or three times through the Tyler two or three times through the body, killing him.”body, killing him.”



Stabbed the Mayor with his Stabbed the Mayor with his dagger.dagger.


Was not harmed, drew his sword Was not harmed, drew his sword and struck back.and struck back.

Cut Tyler on the throat then on the Cut Tyler on the throat then on the head. head.


The king’s man ‘ran his sword The king’s man ‘ran his sword through’ Tyler 2 or 3 times, killing through’ Tyler 2 or 3 times, killing himhim



Dismounted carrying his dagger.Dismounted carrying his dagger.

Asked for water, rinsed his mouth Asked for water, rinsed his mouth and spat the water out.and spat the water out.

Struck a man with his dagger.Struck a man with his dagger.

Stabbed the Mayor in his stomach.Stabbed the Mayor in his stomach.


Tried to arrest TylerTried to arrest Tyler

Wounded Tyler in self-defence Wounded Tyler in self-defence with his sword on his neck and with his sword on his neck and head.head.


Called out that Tyler was one of Called out that Tyler was one of the greatest robbers in Kent.the greatest robbers in Kent.

Answer the following Answer the following questions:questions:

1.1. Who do the chronicles support?Who do the chronicles support?2.2. What evidence can you find in What evidence can you find in a) Chronicle 1a) Chronicle 1b) Chronicle 2 to support your decision?b) Chronicle 2 to support your decision?3.3. Why do you think these accounts do not Why do you think these accounts do not

support Tyler?support Tyler?4.4. How reliable are these sources in helping How reliable are these sources in helping

historians explain the events that took historians explain the events that took place at Smithfield in 1381? (use the place at Smithfield in 1381? (use the answers to the previous questions to help answers to the previous questions to help you)you)

Your taskYour task

Tell the story of the peasants revolt.Tell the story of the peasants revolt. Talk about the causes of the revoltTalk about the causes of the revolt The places & people they attacked en route The places & people they attacked en route

to Londonto London What happened to Wat Tyler when he met What happened to Wat Tyler when he met

the kingthe king

Now change the story so it is the person Now change the story so it is the person on your role card re-telling the events.on your role card re-telling the events.

The Peasants’ Revolt , 1381

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