The year 1381 marks one of the most significant uprisings in medieval English history—the Peasants’ Revolt. Also known as Wat Tyler’s Rebellion, this mass revolt was not just a simple peasant protest but a profound social upheaval that reflected the growing tensions and inequalities in late 14th-century England. It challenged the feudal system and the authority of the ruling elite, laying the groundwork for future social and economic transformations.

Background: Causes of the Revolt

The Aftermath of the Black Death

The Peasants’ Revolt did not emerge in isolation. England was still recovering from the catastrophic effects of the Black Death, which swept through Europe between 1347 and 1351, killing an estimated one-third of the population. This massive demographic collapse led to a severe labor shortage, empowering peasants and laborers who found themselves in higher demand.

In many regions, this shift allowed peasants to demand better wages and living conditions. However, the English nobility and landowners resisted these changes, trying to reimpose old feudal obligations and suppress wage increases through legislation.

The Statute of Labourers (1351)

In response to labor shortages, the English government enacted the Statute of Labourers in 1351, aiming to freeze wages at pre-plague levels and restrict the mobility of workers. This law forbade peasants from asking for higher wages or leaving their villages without permission.

Despite its intentions, the statute was widely resented and difficult to enforce. Peasants frequently ignored it, causing friction between laborers and landowners.

Economic Hardship and Taxation

By the late 1370s and early 1380s, England was involved in ongoing conflicts such as the Hundred Years’ War with France, which strained royal finances. To fund the war, the Crown imposed a series of taxes, including the infamous poll tax—a flat tax levied on every adult regardless of wealth.

The poll tax was deeply unpopular, hitting the poor hardest and sparking widespread resentment. By 1381, the third poll tax had been collected, exacerbating tensions in rural and urban communities alike.

Social and Political Discontent

Besides economic grievances, peasants and commoners were frustrated by their lack of political representation and the rigid social hierarchy upheld by the feudal system. Many felt trapped in a world that denied them justice or upward mobility.

Moreover, corruption and abuses by local officials, clergy, and landlords fueled anger. The Church’s wealth contrasted starkly with the poverty of the peasants, adding a religious dimension to the unrest. shutdown123