King Richard II and the Peasants’ Revolt (1381)

Question 1

What caused the rebellion to erupt;

Answer 1

-Many demanding taxes that were set by the king.

Question 2

What happened and how did this challenge the power of the monarchy?

Answer 2

• People from all ends of the feudal system were involved.
• The peasants were slowly gaining power because after the black death they were able to buy properties and small amounts of land. -Peasants also started earning larger wages.
• They challenged the power of the monarchy when they killed two very important people and burned an important statue

Question 3

How significant was this challenge to the monarchy? Compare to the other two events;

Answer 3

• Over the next two years peasants gained more power to even become freemen
• King Henry III, Simon de Montfort and the Second Barons’ War (1264-65) challenge had a slightly larger effect as in that challenge the parliament was made (long term impact)
• King John I, the Magna Carta and the First Barons’ War (1215-1217) had the impact of the magna carta being made, even if it only was in place for a short amount of time

Question 4

What happened?

Answer 4

From the 1340s onwards, the catastrophic plague, known as the Black Death, had swept through England, killing between a third and half of the population. These huge death tolls led to a shortage of labour, and then to major changes in the social structure as agricultural workers were able to demand better treatment and higher wages from their landlords.

Resentment among these workers was simmering when, between 1377 and 1381, a number of taxes were levied to finance government spending. This prompted a violent rebellion in June 1381, known as the Peasants’ Revolt. A large group of commoners rode on London, storming the Tower of London and demanding reforms from the young King Richard II. The rebellion would end in failure. A number of important rebels were killed, including their leader Wat Tyler, pictured here. Richard quelled the rebellion by promising reforms but failed to keep his word. Instead, punishments were harsh. Despite its failure, the incident is seen as a defining moment in the history of popular rebellion.