The Peasants' Revolt

What is the Peasants' Revolt?

In 1381 the peasants revolted against King Richard II. This is known as the Peasants' Revolt.

What caused the Peasants' Revolt?

There were four key causes of Peasants' Revolt.

• ❖ King Richard II used the poll tax, which people disliked because everyone paid the same whether they were rich or poor. Furthermore, the money was used to fund a war against France which King Richard was losing.
• ❖ A third of the population had died during the Black Death. This meant a shortage of peasants, so they could demand higher wages.
• ❖ However, King Edward III introduced the Statute of Labourers in 1351 to keep wages low.
• ❖ Priests such as John Ball started to preach that everyone was equal in the eyes of God and therefore should also be equal in the eyes of the king.

What happened in the Peasants' Revolt?

There were four key events:

• ❖ Rebel peasants marched from Essex and Kent to London. They had already killed tax collectors.
• ❖ Once in London they murdered the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sudbury, who was hiding in the Tower of London.
• ❖ King Richard II agreed to meet the peasants. The King met Wat Tyler and agreed to the peasants' demands. However, a fight broke out and Tyler was killed by one of the king's men.
• ❖ Despite the death of Tyler, the peasants returned home believing the king would keep his promises.

When did the Peasants' Revolt take place?

The Peasants' Revolt took place in 1381.

Who was king during the Peasants' Revolt?

The king during the Peasants' Revolt was Richard II.

Who led the rebels in the Peasants' Revolt?

Wat Tyler led the Peasants' Revolt. He was killed in a scuffle while negotiating with the king. Another key leader was John Ball, a radical priest.

What was the significance of the Peasants' Revolt?

There are five reasons it is significant:

• ❖ King Richard went back on his word. The rebel leaders, including John Ball, were hanged. This showed the king's power.
• ❖ No king ever used the poll tax again.
• ❖ Previously it had been the barons who rebelled, but now it was ordinary people. This frightened the king, especially as they managed to kill leading nobles, like the Archbishop of Canterbury.
• ❖ John Ball's sermons were used as inspiration by later protest movements, such as the Levellers after the English Civil War.
• ❖ The peasants' wages began to rise. The Statute of Labourers was eventually withdrawn.