Peasants revolt 1381 Flashcards
1
Q
Why was the Black Death significant?
A
- Killed a third of the population
-this meant that peasants could demand more wages as there are less workers
2
Q
What was the statute of labourers?
A
- In 1351, a law was passed which meant that wages were capped to what they were before the plague
3
Q
What was the poll tax by 1380 and why was it needed?
A
- Every person over age of 15 had to pay 4 groats per year to the king to fund hundred years war with France
4
Q
how much was 4 groats?
A
2 weeks wages for a labourer
5
Q
Who was John Ball?
A
- Priest who argued that church shouldn’t be charging for pardons for sins and that it shouldn’t own so much when others are starving
6
Q
What happened on 30th May, 1381, in Fobbing
A
-Peasants refused to pay tax to John Bampton and threaten him with his life
7
Q
What did the rebels do after refusing to pay tax?
A
- Made Wat Tyler their leader
- Marched to maidenstone, where they freed John Ball from prison, stormed Rochester castle and burned down government buildings to destroy tax records
8
Q
What happens in Blackheath, 14th June
A
- Wat Tyler meets Richard, where he demands that all involved should get a royal pardon, and all villeins are to be made freemen
- the king agrees
9
Q
What happened on 15th June, Smithfield
A
- Richard meets rebels again
- Tyler demands a whole change in system of law, and for churchland to be given to people
- The king agrees, but one of his men steps forward and kills Tyler
- The king rides away, chanting ‘follow me’, and the rebels follow him out of London
10
Q
What are short term impacts of peasants revolt?
A
None
11
Q
Long term impacts of revolt
A
- Poll tax quickly abolished
- peasants realise they have more power- still demand more pay
- Within 100 years peasants were freemen
