The Peasants' Revolt

A mass uprising of English commoners against labour laws and a hated poll tax, which briefly took control of London.

Background

After the Black Death killed a large share of England's population, labour became scarce and wages rose. The government answered with laws such as the Statute of Labourers, which tried to freeze pay. At the same time, repeated poll taxes to fund the war with France hit poor households hardest, and resentment of landlords and officials grew.

Course of events

In May and June 1381, rebels from Kent and Essex marched on London under leaders such as Wat Tyler and the preacher John Ball. They opened prisons, burned the Savoy Palace and executed officials, including Archbishop Simon Sudbury. The fourteen-year-old Richard II met the rebels and promised reforms, but Tyler was killed during a confrontation at Smithfield.

Legacy

The revolt was put down and the promised charters were withdrawn, yet the poll tax was abandoned and the old system of serfdom continued to decline in the following decades. The rising became a lasting symbol of popular protest in English history.