Depression and revolts

During the Middle Ages there were times of economic downturn as well as several revolts. The Peasants’ Revolt, also known as Wat Tyler’s Rebellion was a major uprising across large part of England caused by political tensions, the Black Death, high taxes and the general economic situation.

The Peasant’s Revolt

The Peasants’ Revolt began in May 1381 and was triggered by a recently imposed poll tax which took 4 pence from every adult, regardless of wealth. It also liked to change who they classed as an adult and this, along with poor working conditions and little rights inspired Tyler and his followers to seek social reforms. They demanded that labourers be allowed to work for an employer of their choice and to end serfdom. There were uprisings across England, with the majority focused in the Essex and Kent areas.

The revolt was inspired by the teachings of John Ball, a priest who preached that all humans should be treated equally. It isn’t certain how Wat Tyler got involved, but he became the figure head of the revolution.

On 13^th June 1381, the rebels moved towards London and attacked several places, causing mass chaos. They opened prisons, killed individuals who were associated with the government and destroyed legal records. At the time, the King, Richard II was just 14 years old, but he agreed to meet with the rebels the following day and agreed to make concessions and offer pardons to those involved. Following an altercation with Tyler, the concessions were revoked and rebels were hunted down and killed. It is believed that almost 2000 people were executed.

The revolt heavily influenced the course of the Hundred Years War with France but it would take many more years before work conditions improved.

While the revolt unfolded in London, there was wider unrest in other areas of Britain. John Wrawe led a force in Eastern England, taking on places like Bury St Edmunds and other areas of Suffolk. A further revolt took places in Hertfordshire and following the death of Tyler, a revolt broke out in Cambridgeshire with the rebels targeting the University of Cambridge.

Wat Tyler

Wat Tyler was the leader of the 1381 Peasant’s Revolt, he led a group of rebels from Canterbury to London to oppose the introduction of a poll tax and to demand reform. Little is known of his early life, we do know that he was probably born in Kent or Essex and the name Tyler came from his occupation as a roofer.

Tyler and his forces met King Richard at Smithfield in London on 15^th June 1381, where he spoke personally with the King and put forward his demands. At first the meeting seemed to have gone well, however tensions quickly rose. According to reports, Sir John Newton, one of the King’s men, insulted Tyler. Tyler attacked Newton and was restrained by William Walworth, the Lord Mayor of London, who placed him under arrest. Tyler attempted to stab the mayor before being stabbed himself, he managed to ride thirty yards away before falling from his horse.

Following the fall, he was taken to a hospital for the poor but tracked down by Walworth, who dragged him back to Smithfield and had him publicly decapitated. Tyler’s head was placed on a pole and paraded through the city before being displayed at London Bridge. His followers were driven from London and Richard II revoked all the concessions he had initially made, anyone found to have been involved in Tyler’s revolution were tracked down and executed ending the revolt.