30th May 1381: Outbreak of the Peasants' Revolt in England

Summary

On May 30, 1381, the Peasants' Revolt erupted in England due to the introduction of a new poll tax. Originating in Essex, the revolt was fueled by social and economic turmoil following the Black Death, which had halved the population. Peasants demanded better wages and conditions, but the government's attempts to limit these and fund the Hundred Years War with France through taxes led to widespread resentment. The revolt began when villagers refused to pay the tax and attacked officials. It quickly spread, with Wat Tyler emerging as a leader. The revolt reached London, where Tyler presented demands to Richard II, but was killed, leading to the revolt's collapse.

Takeaways

• 📅 The Peasants' Revolt in England was triggered on May 30, 1381.
• 💼 John Bampton's arrival in Essex to investigate the non-payment of the poll tax sparked the revolt.
• 🔍 The revolt had deeper roots in the social and economic upheaval following the Black Death.
• 😷 The Black Death, which reached England in 1348, wiped out up to half of the country's population.
• 💪 Surviving peasants demanded better wages and conditions after the plague.
• 🤬 Resentment grew against the government's attempts to limit wage increases.
• 💸 Taxes introduced to fund the Hundred Years War with France aggravated the situation.
• 👑 Richard II was only 10 years old when he inherited the throne in 1377.
• 🏛️ The third poll tax passed by Parliament in 1380 made the situation volatile.
• 🚨 The revolt spread quickly from Essex to Kent and reached London in mid-June.
• 🗣️ Wat Tyler emerged as the leader of the Kentish rebels and presented demands to Richard II on June 15.
• ⚔️ Wat Tyler was killed by the Royal party at Smithfield, leading to the collapse of the revolt.

Q & A

What event triggered the Peasants' Revolt in England in 1381?

The Peasants' Revolt was triggered by the arrival of John Bampton in Essex to investigate the non-payment of the poll tax.

What was the root cause of the Peasants' Revolt?

The roots of the Peasants' Revolt lay in the social and economic upheaval that emerged after the devastation of the Black Death, which had wiped out up to half of England's population.

How did the surviving peasantry respond to the aftermath of the Black Death?

The surviving peasantry demanded better wages and conditions, growing increasingly angry at the government's attempts to limit such changes.

What was the purpose of the taxes introduced by the government during this period?

The taxes were introduced to fund the English campaign against France in the Hundred Years War.

How old was Richard II when he inherited the throne?

Richard II was only 10 years old when he inherited the throne in 1377.

What was the situation like by the time the third poll tax was passed in 1380?

By the time the third poll tax was passed in 1380, the situation was incredibly volatile with many people, especially in the southeast, refusing to pay.

What was the reaction of the villagers when John Bampton arrived to investigate the non-payment of the poll tax?

The villagers were determined not to pay any further taxes and violence broke out after officials attempted to arrest their leader.

How did the revolt spread geographically?

The revolt quickly spread from Essex to Kent and beyond, with tax collectors and landlords being attacked and tax records and registers being destroyed.

Who emerged as the leader of the Kentish rebels during the Peasants' Revolt?

Wat Tyler emerged as the leader of the Kentish rebels after rejecting a series of royal charters granted at Mile End.

What happened on the 15th of June when the rebels reached London?

On the 15th of June, Wat Tyler presented a comprehensive set of demands to Richard II at Smithfield.

How did the Peasants' Revolt begin to collapse?

The revolt began to collapse after Wat Tyler was attacked and killed by members of the Royal party at Smithfield.