The Causes Of The Peasants Revolt Of 1381

The Peasants versus the English Government was a David and Goliath story, the peasants' being a much smaller and weaker opponent. The bravery and determination the peasants' had been remarkable. The Peasants revolt of 1381 changed the way people viewed the peasants and the entirety of England’s history. The Black Death swept across Europe from 1348-1381, that and many other unfortunate events leads up to the peasants revolt of 1381. The Statute of Laborers 1351 was an act passed at the end of the Black Death outbreak to keep the peasants from taking advantage of the shortage of workers. The landowners basically took ownership of the peasants, controlling all of their lives, including how much work they had to perform. Although there were less workers, the wages stayed the same or even dropped for the peasants. The price of living went up, and with less income this caused …show more content…
Thomas Bampton was a collector who was sent out again by John of Gaunt, to collect the taxes in full. (Trueman)This meant the peasants had to pay the tax for the second time. The rebels killed three of Bampton's servants, the word of the revolt spreads throughout the country. As a result, the revolt spread quickly. The Kent rebels free John Bell from the Maidstone castle. The Kent and Essex Rebels march to London, with plans to gain as much money as they could. 50,000 peasants marched into London, killing lawyers and foreign merchants. (Summer of Blood 538) Tax records, tax registers, and government buildings were annihilated by the angry mob. A group of the rebels ransacked the Savoy Palace, the home of John of Gaunt. The palace was destroyed when it caught fire; however, John of Gaunt was not killed because he was in Scotland at the time. (Trueman) King Richard and Wat Tyler met to discuss the peasants demands. The King accepts the demands and allowed the peasants to go