The Peasants' Revolt of 1381
Fourteenth Century Poll Tax Riots in England
The English peasants' revolt started as a small disturbance in June 1381, in an Essex village and spread rapidly and dramatically, involving at least twenty thousand people and ending badly for both sides of the cause.
How the Peasant's Revolt Began
The start of the rebellion was an incident in the town of Brentwood, Essex, where a poll tax collector was attacked. He was collecting money for an unpopular poll tax, which had been preceded by two other taxes in 1377 and 1379.
This initial argument spread, collectors in other settlements were attacked and soon, a band of men had formed to march from Essex to London, gathering supporters as they went.
Causes of the 1381 Peasants' Revolt
Although the revolt was sparked by a row between townspeople and a poll tax collector, its roots went much deeper. The Black death of 1348-50 had changed life in England forever. Around a third of the population had been wiped out by the plague, leaving an unbalanced society and an uncertain labour market.
Since the plague, huge swathes of land had gone unfarmed due to a lack of labour and for the first time, peasants were able to demand a high price for working on an employer’s land. Labour was in demand and, because there were fewer people to farm the land, they could demand more money.
But even though peasants could demand higher wages, many of them were still unfree men and women, who owed heavy dues of money and labour to their lord. The Hundred Year War with France had caused the Crown to demand higher taxes to fund the fighting, pressing the resources of an already unsatisfied workforce.
The Leaders of the Peasants' Revolt
The rebellion was led by Jack Straw, Wat Tyler and John Ball. Their popular chant was ‘When Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?’ meaning that all property had been held in common at the beginning of time.
The march was soon out of control, and as many as twenty thousand rebels entered London, some of them looting and burning shops and houses as they went. In one day of destruction, the Savoy Palace, home of John of Gaunt, King Richard II’s uncle, was set on fire and completely destroyed. Prisoners were freed at Fleet and Newgate and legal records burnt.
King Richard II and the Revolt of the Peasants
As the violence continued and the number of rioters grew, the fourteen year old King Richard agreed to meet the rebels at London’s Mile End. Despite his young age, the king managed to win over the peasants and promised them their freedom if they returned home in peace.
He agreed to meet their various demands, including the right to charge labour at four pence an acre and to work free of contract. Many of the rebels dispersed, satisfied with the King’s promise. Others stayed in the city whilst the Tower of London was stormed and leading noblemen including the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Treasurer were executed by the rebels.
The king agreed to meet the peasants again at Smithfield. This time their requests were more demanding and a scuffle broke out involving the monarch. Leader Wat Tyler seemed as if he would charge at the king and he was killed by Richard II’s men. The panicked crowd looked set to turn on the king, but he convinced them to follow him away from the area, still promising to meet all their demands.
The Outcome of the Peasants' Revolt
The episode at Smithfield effectively put an end to the Peasants' Revolt. Although Richard soon rescinded on most of the demands the rebels had made, including the abolition of serfdom and of all lordships except the King, the hated poll tax was withdrawn.
The speed and ferocity with which those in authority dealt with the rebel leaders must have made a further rebellion seem unappealing; Wat Tyler’s head was cut off and put on London Bridge, Jack Straw suffered the same fate and John Bull was hung, drawn and quartered.
The Black Death of 1348-50 may have changed life in England forever, but the outcome of the rebellion demonstrated that the age-old social structures were still very much in place.
Source
O’Brien, Mark When Adam Delved and Eve Span: A History of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 [New Clarion Press, 2004]
