What happened in the Peasant Revolt?

Answer 1

The revolt in 1381 erupted suddenly and without warning. The reasons were in the medieval society itself and were fed by the oppression of the poor towns and countryside by those in power. Artisans, parish priests, poor city workers, small traders rose with the peasants in their call for for the abolition of feudal obligations and the social/economic injustices. Life for the peasants was structured by feudal ties and obligations. The villien was tied to the soil until he could buy freedom. He lived in a wattle and daub hut with his family and animals on a floor of mud. Work began at dawn on his few strips of land and he was obligated to work on his lord's land 3 days a week, tend and shear his sheep, feed his swine, sow and reap his crops. He was at the lord's mercy every day of his life and even after death. The Parliament of 1380 passed a poll tax per head for the entire population. This pushed a greater burden on the poor. As the idea of revolt brewed it wasn't until May 31 and June 1 when the men of Essex gathered at Brentwood, Baddow, and Colchester. On June 2, the chief justice of the common pleas Sir Robert Belknap arrived in Brentwood to summon jurors to indict the rebels. The commons refused and made him take an oath not to attempt such a task again. Essex was in full revolt, Brentwood was in the hands of commons, Kent was in an uproar, and Canterbury was agitated. The first property destruction occurred on this same day. Demands for formulated and one of leaders Robert Cave issued a statement of purpose on June 5 at Dartford. Wat Tyler was selected as leader and he led his men to Canterbury June 10 and burst in during High Mass. Tyler's men sacked the castle and the Archbishop palace. Unjust officers of the government were attacked. By June 11 the Essex men began to march on London and on June 12 the men of Kent were on Blackhead. To the south the rebels numbered 30,000 with 40,000 who were sympathizers. The Court was unable to organize a defense and had no standing army or regular police force so they could only hide in the Tower and pray.

Answer 2

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