17: Popular rebellion: Peasants revolt of 1381

Question 1

Main 3 areas/sub of Popular rebellion

Answer 1

Case study: 1381

a) Political interpretation: Concerns about central gov, rebel demands
b) Economic interpretation: Black Death, Wages and living standards
c) Cultural and religious interpretation: Religious context, ideology.

Question 2

What was the peasants revolt?

Answer 2

In summer of 1381 Richard II boy king crowned aged 12. Peasants stormed london. Protesting poll tax imposed on all men and women regardless of income needed to raise for war with france. Highlighted the problems of medieval society. Archbishop Sudbury killed. Demands of peasants were freedom and equality. King agreed and the peasant leader was killed. The rebels dispersed and the boy king went back on his promises rounding up rebel leaders. Lawyers and tax collectors also targeted. Rebels supported King wanted to save him from the influence of his uncle
- also demanded end to burning of legal documents

Question 3

Economic Interpretation of peasants revolt

Answer 3

a) Due to Black Death, Peasants seen as subhuman only capable of tending their farms. E.g. Thomas Walsingham chronicler of 14th C: spoke in disgust of peasant rebels
b) Rebels cant see beyond the village boundary, only interested in basics of life
c) Wages went down from 1381 however after rebels did see a better way of life, superior housing, finer clothes and better food

Question 4

Fact about major revolts in Western Europe

Answer 4

1,112 major revolts in Western Europe 1200-1425.

e.g. The Jacquierie, 1358: Mass slaughter of ruling classes, result of taxes and military defeat in 100 year war.

Question 5

Causes of peasants revolt:

Answer 5

a) Economic: taxation.

b) gov response before:

Question 6

Economic causes for rebellion.

Answer 6

a) Due to Black Death, Peasants seen as subhuman only capable of tending their farms. E.g. Thomas Walsingham chronicler of 14th C: spoke in disgust of peasant rebels
b) Rebels cant see beyond the village boundary, only interested in basics of life
c) PEasant revolt wasnt caused by economic factors however The Jacquierie, 1358: Mass slaughter of ruling classes, result of taxes and military defeat in 100 year war. Many rebellions were caused by economic factors and they

Question 7

Political:

Answer 7

a) rebel demands; demanded to be free and equal. call to abandon lordship goods of Church should be divided amongst the people. Poll taxes of 1370/80s made it so all men and woman over age 14 had to pay to raise money for war.

Question 8

Cultural Argument:

a) Ideas and images
b) radicalism and worldview

Answer 8

• Without ideas that shaped rebels thoughts, they wouldn’t have their worldview. Economic and political argument are present-centred.
• Precapitalism, rebels werent political in modern sense.
• Ideas and images formed many ideas and radicalised many rebels. Radical popular Christian Ethic was developed in 14th c.
• E.g. John Ball preached at Mile End. Rebels sought to make him archbishop
• Had radical demands e.g. only one bishop and archbishop in England.
• Corpus Christi: powerful images symbolic of food and survival and community: all key to peasants