The Peasants' Revolt of 1381: A Story of Oppression, Rebellion, and Social Change

The Pardon List: A story from the Peasants' Revolt (Comma Singles)

by Kajori Parial

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1793 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	19 pages
Paperback	:	200 pages
Item Weight	:	14.1 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.1 x 0.4 x 7.5 inches
Reading age	:	Baby and up

FREE

The Peasants' Revolt of 1381 was a major uprising in late medieval England, sparked by a number of grievances against the ruling class. These included high taxes, the enclosure of common lands, and the imposition of new labor laws that favored the wealthy. The revolt was led by Wat Tyler and John Ball, two charismatic preachers who rallied the peasantry to their cause. The rebels marched on London and demanded the king's attention, eventually forcing him to grant them a number of concessions. However, the revolt was ultimately crushed by the royal forces, and many of the rebels were executed.

Causes of the Revolt

The Peasants' Revolt was the culmination of a number of long-standing grievances against the ruling class. These included:

• High taxes: The English peasantry was heavily taxed in the late 14th century, both by the king and by the local lords. This was due in part to the ongoing Hundred Years' War with France, which required the government to raise large sums of money to pay for troops and supplies.
• Enclosure of common lands: In the late 14th century, many wealthy landowners began to enclose common lands, which had traditionally been used by the peasantry for grazing and other purposes. This deprived the peasantry of a vital source of income and led to widespread resentment.
• New labor laws: The Statute of Labourers (1349) and the Statute of Cambridge (1381) imposed new restrictions on the peasantry, making it difficult for them to find work and earn a living.

These grievances were exacerbated by a number of other factors, such as a decline in the population due to the Black Death, which led to a shortage of labor and higher wages. This in turn led to inflation, which made it more difficult for the peasantry to afford basic necessities.

Leaders of the Revolt

The Peasants' Revolt was led by two charismatic preachers, Wat Tyler and John Ball. Tyler was a blacksmith from Kent, while Ball was a former priest. Both men were skilled orators who were able to rally the peasantry to their cause.

Tyler was the military leader of the revolt, while Ball was its chief ideologue. Ball preached a message of social equality and justice, and he argued that the peasantry was being exploited by the ruling class.

Course of the Revolt

The Peasants' Revolt began in Essex in May 1381, and it quickly spread to other parts of England. The rebels marched on London and entered the city on June 12, 1381. They burned and looted the Savoy Palace, the residence of John of Gaunt, the king's uncle, and they killed a number of royal officials.

The rebels then demanded that the king meet with them and grant them a number of concessions. These included the abolition of serfdom, the reduction of taxes, and the repeal of the Statute of Labourers.

The king initially agreed to the rebels' demands, but he later changed his mind and ordered the royal forces to attack the rebels. The rebels were defeated in a battle at Smithfield on June 15, 1381, and Tyler was killed.

Consequences of the Revolt

The Peasants' Revolt was a major turning point in English history. It showed that the peasantry was no longer willing to tolerate the oppression of the ruling class. The revolt also led to a number of significant social and economic changes, such as the abolition of serfdom and the rise of the wage-earning class.

However, the Peasants' Revolt also had a number of negative consequences. The revolt led to a backlash against the lower classes, and it made it more difficult for the peasantry to achieve their goals through peaceful means. The revolt also strengthened the power of the monarchy, which was able to use the revolt as an excuse to crack down on dissent.

The Peasants' Revolt of 1381 was a complex and multifaceted event. It was a product of a number of long-standing grievances against the ruling class, and it was led by two charismatic preachers, Wat Tyler and John Ball. The revolt had a significant impact on English history, and it led to a number of social and economic changes. However, the revolt also had a number of negative consequences, and it made it more difficult for the peasantry to achieve their goals through peaceful means.

The Pardon List: A story from the Peasants' Revolt (Comma Singles)

by Kajori Parial

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1793 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	19 pages
Paperback	:	200 pages
Item Weight	:	14.1 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.1 x 0.4 x 7.5 inches
Reading age	:	Baby and up

FREE