Peasants Revolt

What are the Economic causes for the Peasants Revolt?

The statue of Labourers set peasant wages to pre-plague wages.

3 poll taxes in 4 years, everyone over 15 had to pay and it was equivalent to 2 weeks wages -fund wars in France

What are the Democratic causes for the Peasants Revolt?

Peasants were influenced by John Ball’s ideas that everyone was equal in the eyes of god and peasants deserve more rights. a radical priest.

What are the Power causes for the Peasants revolt?

Richard II was only 10 when he became king with unpopular advisors - John of Gaunt.

Tax collectors used violent methods - Thomas Bamptom in Essex and Kent which led to riots

How did the peasants start the Revolt?

In May 1381, the peasants refused to pay the tax collectors and attacked them.

They also released John Ball from prison.

How big did the army become? and who led them?

As the peasants marched to London, numbers grew to 60,000 as they were led by Wat Tyler.

What did the Rebels do in London?

They set fire to buildings (John Gaunts home), burned documents.

Killed the Archbishop, the kings treasurer and the creator of poll tax.

What were the peasants demand?

Richard II met the rebels at Smithfield on the 15th of June, where they demanded: pardons for the peasants, freedom of peasants and end of poll tax.

What happened after the agreements were made?

The Lord Mayor killed Wat Tyler.

How did the King react?

He agreed to the demands and encouraged the peasants to go home

What did Richard do once the peasants went home?

He broke his promises and gathered an army to hunt down the peasants. 1500 were killed

What were the significances of the peasants revolt at the time?

The first time commoners had rebelled against authority.

The rebellion failed as king went back on his word.

What were the significances of the peasants revolt in the future?

Poll tax was never repeated.

John Balls ideals inspired the levellers in the English civil war.

Peasants wages rose and government stopped interfering with their wages.