Peasant’s Revolt 1381

Question 1

When was the peasants revolt

Answer 1

1381

Question 2

What were the causes of the peasant’s revolt?

Answer 2

Black Death 1348 wiped out 1/3 of population. Surviving peasants could choose who they worked for and for what price, angering lords.
Edward III passed statue of labourers 1351 to force them to work for pre Black Death wages.
Government revenue decreases bc taxes fell bc of less people.
Poll tax introduced to fight France.
Everyone had to pay 1 shilling and 4 pence (2 weeks of wages for a labourer)
People protested against protest, and led to a serious rebellion

Question 3

What were you the events during the peasant’s revolt

Answer 3

1381- villagers in Kent and Essex refuse to pay poll tax, they threaten tax collectors and behead his clerks
Rebels freed a radical priest ( JOHN BALL) from prison. He and WATT TYLER gathered a group of rebels and marched on London killing ARCHBISHOP OF CANTEBURY
June 14th Richard II met Tyler and rebels at Smithfield. Tyler demanded all villeins (peasants) be made freemen. Richard II agreed, but rebels went into a killing spree.
June 15th Richard II met Tyler again, Tyler demanded changes to law and for church land to be given to the people. Tyler was killed by one of Richard’s supporters. Richard II promised to grant the demands, and revolt was over. But Richard II went against his promises and killed the leaders of the revolt.

Question 4

Short term

Answer 4

First time commoners rebelled against royal power, which scared the king and nobles.
Wasn’t effective, as Richard II went against his promises, and killed leaders of the rebellion. He cut John Ball into pieces

Question 5

Long term

Answer 5

Poll tax never repeated
Workers wages began to rise and parliament stopped controlling wages
Peasants could buy their own land
1450, all villeins were free
John ball influenced future rebels, e.g. levellers