Revolt Of 1381 Research Paper
The Peasants Revolt of 1381 was an important uprising in much of England during
the medieval time period. It is also known as Wat Tyler s Rebellion and The Great
Rising. It was one of the first popular uprisings in England, and over very important
issues. The feudal system, serfdom, the Statue of Laborers (originally spelled
Labourers), little to no pay, tithes, poll tax, and the general unfairness of the time led
to tensions, and action being taken. The feudal system did not have balance, and left
much of the population unhappy.
The king was at the top. He was in complete control, owning all of the land in the
country, and only gave out land to his trustees. Next were the barons, who had
manors. They lived on the king s land, but were ... Show more content on
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John Bampton, an English churchman, was sent to check on why the poll tax wasn
t being paid. The villagers were armed, and organized. He asked one village
representative, Thomas Baker, why the tax had not been paid. Baker claimed that
the tax had already been paid by the village and that no money was owed. Baker
was then to be arrested, and the villagers got violent. News of the revolt spread
quickly in the area. Several groups of revolting peasants travelled around, village to
village, spreading the word. A leader came out among the rebels, names Wat Tyler.
Eventually, they began to march to London. When they got there, they wreaked
havoc. They ransacked parts of the city, burning some along the way. King
Richard decided to meet with the rebels, out of the city. Here, rebel leader Wat
Tyler told the peasants terms to the king. He said that price of living was to be
reduced. Also, the poll tax to be removed, there were to be pardons for all rebel,
and that peasants would have rights and privileges. While this happened, a group of
peasants took advantage of the situation. They raided the Tower of London and
beheaded some people there. The king could not let that go by unanswered. Another
meeting was arranged, with just Wat Tyler and a few of his closer followers, and the
king with some of his men. Wat Tyler was killed here, after purportedly disrespecting
the king, but his death seems to be something not all