The English Peasant’s Revolt
The English Peasant’s Revolt in 1381 began seemingly without warning, but the seeds were sown many years beforehand. The Black Death during the earlier part of the 14th century caused a serious shortage of workers, giving the peasant class the option to choose where they worked — a freedom that was unheard of in feudal society.
Fearful that the serfs would refuse to work their lands, many lords gave the peasants their freedom and paid for their labor. Three decades later, however, class resentment over the loss of their feudal rights began to come to a head, and the workers feared the lords would renege on their agreement.
Peasants were also bitter about the two days a week many were forced to work Church lands free of charge. This forced them to neglect their own farms, which seriously affected their livelihoods.
But as is usually the case, what pushed the peasants over the edge were excessive taxes.
The common folk were taxed up the ying-yang to pay for the Hundred Years War with France. 14-year-old King Richard II introduced a poll tax of 5p per person in 1380 (a hefty sum at the time) which he imposed upon the people three times within four years.
When a tax collector arrived in the Essex village of Brentwood to enquire why no-one…
