Peasants' Revolt

The Peasants ' Revolt of 1381 was the largest peasant revolt in medieval England.

Causes

The question of the causes which have led to the uprising, is the subject of various explanatory theories. The Marxist view sees the crisis of feudalism as the main cause, another fault of the government. A second possible explanation relates to the great plague mid-14th century ( 1347-1353 ), which had reduced the number of the existing workforce drastically and so triggered an economic crisis.

Raised to finance the Hundred Years War, the English crown at a short distance ( 1373, 1379, 1380-1381 ) three special taxes (Poll Taxes).

The course of the uprising

When driving in the third control end of May 1381 there was the first uprising actions in the counties of Kent and Essex. The rebels of Kent, led by Wat Tyler, conquered the city of Canterbury, which was completely in their power on June 10. Together with the rebels from Essex attracted farmers to London and were to gain access to the city.

On 14 June there was a meeting between the rebels and King Richard II in Mile End. The demands of the rebels were: abolition of serfdom, the punishment of the "traitor", Free buying and selling rights and limiting the lease fee. One day later, these requirements have been extended in a further conversation between King and insurgents in Smithfield to the whole of society: the abolition of serfdom and manorial system, equal participation for all in the exercise of power, abolition of the Workers Act, Church reform, as well as free livestock and hunting rights. To draw the demands of the first meeting through their commercial and agricultural character, so the demands of Smithfield have a radical, almost social utopian note.

During the interview, there was a scuffle, was killed in the Wat Tyler by the followers of the king, possibly by William Walworth († 1385 ), the Mayor of London. The shocked rebels were surrounded by the militia, and went back to their counties after the king had granted them free passage. During the uprising, also nobles were (among other things, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Simon Sudbury, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer of England, Robert Hales ) killed by the rebels on the ground of the alleged betrayal of King Richard II.

The promise of Richard II have not been implemented. After he himself led the rebellion to an end, he settled, after the situation had calmed down, acquit the Parliament of the securitized and the promises. As the farmers urged him, he should - as promised - to abolish serfdom, he should have just said: " his servants ye are servants and ye shall remain ." The leaders were addressed, but this seems to have been really limited only to the leaders of the uprising.