Peasants Revolt

views updated

Peasants' Revolt (1381) Rebellion in England. The immediate provocation was a poll tax (1380). Fundamental causes were resentment at feudal restrictions and statutory control of wages, which were held down artificially despite the shortage of labour after the Black Death. Roused by a rebel priest, John Ball, and led by Wat Tyler, the men of Kent marched into London, where they were pacified by Richard II. Promises to grant their demands were broken after they dispersed.

More From encyclopedia.com