Causes of the Peasants' Revolt Flashcards
What year was the Peasants’ Revolt? (1)
- 1381
What was the Feudal System? (3)
- A hierarchy of society (1) from the King to the peasantry (1), based around land (1)
What was the structure of the Feudal System and what did each ‘layer’ give each other? (3)
- Kings gave land to barons who gave loyalty and provided soldiers in return.
- Barons gave land to the knights who promised to fight and to be loyal in return.
- Knights gave pieces of land and protection to the peasants who worked the crops and fought when needed in return.
How many people were in each ‘layer’ of the Feudal System? (4)
- 1 King
- 200 Barons
- 5,000 Knights
- 1.5 million Peasants.
What were Freemen? (2)
- Peasants not owing labour service (1) and free to move to other villages. (1)
What were serfs? (5)
- These peasants provided some free labour to their Lord/Baron/knight.
- Could not marry.
- Could not leave the Manor without permission.
- Had to pay to use the Lord’s mill for grinding flour.
- Were subject to the Lord’s Manorial Court.
What was commutation? (3)
From about 1200 (1), peasants were able to offer monetary rent (1) instead of labour service. (1)
What was life generally like for a peasant? (5)
- Peasant life was generally harsh in the Middle Ages.
- They lived in poor conditions, often one room and with animals.
- They were at the mercy of their lords.
- They were at the mercy of the weather.
- Local revolts were quite frequent.
What were compulsory labour services? (2)
- When peasants worked a few days a week on their Lord’s land for no wages.
- This was different to the land they were able to live off.
Why didn’t the peasants revolt before 1381? (3)
- Lack of organisation.
- A feeling that things simply could not be better.
- Blind acceptance of the Church’s teaching that rebellion was the worst of all sins.
How did the Black Death ‘enlighten’ peasants? (5)
- The Black Death created huge labour shortages
- Peasants became more valuable as there was less of them, and they realised this
- Lords tried to force peasants to return to compulsory labour services, but peasants picked the land they worked on.
- Lords were forced to offer high wages to get their land farmed at all.
- Wages trebled in a few years.
What was the Statute of Labourers? (3)
Parliament, which of course did not represent the peasants (1), passed the Statute of Labourers (1) designed to enforce wage cuts by law. (1)
When was the Statute of Labourers brought in? (1)
1351
How did peasants react to the Statute of Labourers? (1)
They were angry.
What was the Poll Tax? (2)
- Edward III originally introduced this tax in order to fund his war with France (100 Years War)
- Everyone, rich or poor, had to pay the same amount.
When were the Poll Taxes introduced? (2)
- 1377-1380, growing yearly.
How did peasants react to the Poll Tax and why? (2)
- They were angry
- The fact that they had to pay the same tax as the rich was grotesque.
Why else did the 100 Years War make peasants angry? (2)
- Forced collectivisation of their crops
- Peasants were often used as ‘pawns’ in war, and ‘cannon fodder’ (basically sent into battle to die)
Who was King at the time of the revolt and how old was he? (2)
Richard II (14 years old)
Who was the Archbishop of Canterbury & chancellor and why was he disliked? (3)
- Simon of Sudbury.
- Leader of the Church at a time when it was unpopular.
- Instigator of the Poll Tax.
Who was the treasurer and why was he disliked? (2)
- Sir Robert Hales.
- blamed for financial mismanagement.
Who was the Lord Mayor of London and why was he disliked? (2)
- William Walworth.
- used soldiers in London to control people by force.
Who was the King’s uncle and Lord Protector and why was he disliked? (3)
- John of Gaunt
- suspected of wanting to overthrow the King
- blamed for the unsuccessful war against France
Why were commissioners sent out to towns & villages? (3)
- Tax collectors came across blatant widespread evasion
- People sometimes ran into forests when they heard that the tax men were on their way
- Because of the deaths and huge shortfall the government, sent out commissioners to make sure the evaders paid up with powers of arrest if anyone refused
Who was Thomas de Bampton why was he disliked? (3)
- Commissioner who threatened villagers (1) in Fobbing, Essex. (1)
- Was forcefully trying to collect the poll tax (1)
- This is seen as the spark of the rebellion (1)
Why was the Black Death a cause of the revolt? (3)
- The reduced labour workforce showed the peasants they were worth more than they thought
- People lost faith in the Church that they believe didn’t protect them
- People therefore ignored the Church’s warnings on rebellion, which was said to be a sin.
Why was the Church not liked at this time? (4)
- It was discredited due to the Black Death
- Its leaders were wealthy and often acted as especially severe landlords.
- At harvest a tithe (10%) of all goods had to be given to the Church.
- The Archbishop of Canterbury was the instigator of the Poll Tax.
Did the people trust the king at the start of the rebellion? (2)
Yes they did as they believed that God had placed him in that position.
Who were the main leaders of the revolt? (4)
Wat Tyler, John Ball, Jack Straw and Johanna Ferrour
What was a famous quote that John Ball said at this time? (2)
‘When Adam delved and Eve span who then was the gentleman?’
What were the main four causes of the Peasants Revolt? (4)
- Norman Conquest
- The Black Death
- Hundred Years War
- Key figures
