tensions between different groups (e.g. workers and employers) over who has power

records kept by a lord of payments made to them by their tenants

another term for the feudal system: the system of landholding which bound peasants to a lord in return for land to farm

The causes of the Peasants' Revolt

History

In this unit, pupils considered how a range of political, economic and social factors made the lives of peasants difficult in medieval England. In 'Life in Tudor England: was there a 'Golden Age' for the poor?', pupils will extend their knowledge of the lives of those who made up the majority of England's population by assessing the quality of life of the poor by the late-16th century.

In 'The Black Death and the Silk Road: how connected was the medieval world?', pupils studied some of the key consequences of the Black Death. In this unit, pupils will explain how those consequences contributed to the social and economic tensions which triggered the Peasants' Revolt in England.

In this unit, pupils learn about the differing interpretations that exist regarding the causes of the Peasants' Revolt. They will examine the impact of the Black Death on England alongside the short-term causes of the uprising.

The Peasants' Revolt: why do historians disagree about its causes?

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

tensions between different groups over who has power

violent action against a government or ruler

a payment made to the government by every adult

a peasant bound to work on a certain piece of land

the system of landholding introduced by William the Conqueror

Match the words with their correct definitions.

Which of the following was a short-term cause of the Peasants' Revolt, rather than a long-term cause?

court rolls listed crimes committed by lords against their peasants.

court rolls proved who had peasant status and was not free to leave their lord.

court rolls recorded that lords refused to negotiate with peasants over pay.

court rolls showed how lords increased fines against peasants after 1348.

Historian Rodney Hilton considers court rolls as evidence of class conflict in the Peasants' Revolt because...

The Peasants' Revolt was strongest in which of these regions of England?

Anger among better-off landholders about rising taxes

Frustration among lords that peasants were leaving their lands

Fury about the fines demanded by lords when peasants got married

Resentment about the Statute of Labourers stopping higher wages being negotiated

Which of the following would historian Mark Bailey see as the most likely cause of the Peasants' Revolt?

The feudal system was strengthened by the arrival of the Black Death.

The feudal system was already in a weak position before the Black Death.

The feudal system's decline was entirely due to the Black Death.

The feudal system was damaged by the Black Death but recovered strongly.

Which of the following best represents the view of Mark Bailey about the importance of the Black Death in ending the feudal system in England?

Statute of Labourers banned wage increases

Poll tax introduced at four pence per person

John Bampton attempted to collect poll tax in Brentwood, Essex

Put these events that lead up to the Peasants' Revolt in chronological order.

Who emerged as the leader of the Peasants' Revolt?

Where did the king go for safety when the rebels entered London in June 1381?

the removal of bad advisers from the king's court

the right to vote in elections to the king's council

What demands did Wat Tyler make of the king when they met at Smithfield?

He shouted, "I am your leader!" which ended the revolt.

He stabbed the mayor of London, who died.

He was pardoned by Richard II, who told him he would remain a peasant.

He was stabbed by the mayor of London, and died.

What happened to Wat Tyler at Smithfield?

Carried out by wealthy landholders who did not want to pay higher taxes

Carried out by serfs who resented the power their lords had over them

Carried out by French migrants who opposed the war with France

Carried out by criminals who wanted opportunities to loot the homes of the rich

Historians who believe history is driven by class conflict see the Peasants' Revolt as which of the following?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz