The English Peasant Revolt 1381
The document called the “English Peasants’ Revolt, 1381” discusses the beginning of the end of the Peasant Revolt. The document begins with King Richard II proclaiming that all of the common people within London should come to Smithfield. Accompanying Richard was the Mayor of London named William Walworth. Meeting the both Richard and Willian was the “chieftain” of the rebellion Walter Tyler. Before the chaos ensued, both the King and Walter discussed what was needed to put a peaceful end to the revolt. For Walter and the common people to peacefully return back to their homes, they needed a “great oath” of the King, in which a charter would be created for the betterment of equality for all men. Within this charter, Walter demanded more equality
…show more content…
At this point of escalation, Richard confronts the army of peasants in an attempt to regain control of the situation, while the Mayor of London returns back to the city to gather support to help the King. Ultimately, the Mayor of London finds Walter dying in a common hospital, in which he brings him in front of the common people of Smithfield and beheads him. Upon the beheading of the rebellions leader, King Richard is able to regains control of the peasants resulting in a general fleeing of the people. After the events of Smithfield, Richard repays the rebels with punishment of death, putting an end to the rebellion. The historical significant of the Peasant Revolt, is that it demonstrates a slight change of traditional power. Before the events of the Black Death, Kings and Lords had a firm grasp on all of the people considered beneath them. The peasants needed the use of a Lords land for any chance of survival resulting in little choice over the Lords conditions. The Black Death marked a major change in the dynamic of who held the power. Instead of a peasant needing a Lord to survive, now Lords needed the labour of peasants to even attempt to maintain their personal wealth. A “competitive market” is created in the form of commoner labour, resulting in more benefits for
At this point of escalation, Richard confronts the army of peasants in an attempt to regain control of the situation, while the Mayor of London returns back to the city to gather support to help the King. Ultimately, the Mayor of London finds Walter dying in a common hospital, in which he brings him in front of the common people of Smithfield and beheads him. Upon the beheading of the rebellions leader, King Richard is able to regains control of the peasants resulting in a general fleeing of the people. After the events of Smithfield, Richard repays the rebels with punishment of death, putting an end to the rebellion. The historical significant of the Peasant Revolt, is that it demonstrates a slight change of traditional power. Before the events of the Black Death, Kings and Lords had a firm grasp on all of the people considered beneath them. The peasants needed the use of a Lords land for any chance of survival resulting in little choice over the Lords conditions. The Black Death marked a major change in the dynamic of who held the power. Instead of a peasant needing a Lord to survive, now Lords needed the labour of peasants to even attempt to maintain their personal wealth. A “competitive market” is created in the form of commoner labour, resulting in more benefits for