The causes of the Peasants' Revolt
I can explain why historians have different interpretations about the causes of the Peasants’ Revolt.
The causes of the Peasants' Revolt
I can explain why historians have different interpretations about the causes of the Peasants’ Revolt.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Some historians argue that the Peasants’ Revolt was caused by class conflict between the lords and the peasants.
- Evidence for class conflict includes the burning of court rolls by rebels, which recorded their feudal obligations.
- Other historians argue that class conflict over feudalism was not the cause as feudalism was already in decline.
- Instead these historians argue that the Peasants' Revolt was against taxation and growing government power.
Keywords
Class conflict - tensions between different groups (e.g. workers and employers) over who has power
Court rolls - records kept by a lord of payments made to them by their tenants
Feudalism - another term for the feudal system: the system of landholding which bound peasants to a lord in return for land to farm
Interpretation - a particular explanation of something
Common misconception
That the main aim of the rebels in the Peasants' Revolt was to overthrow the king.
In fact the rebels' grievances were against local officials and the king's advisers, who they believed were misleading the king into acting against the interests of his people.
To help you plan your year 7 history lesson on: The causes of the Peasants' Revolt, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 history lesson on: The causes of the Peasants' Revolt, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Peasants' Revolt: why do historians disagree about its causes? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
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Adult supervision recommended
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
tensions between different groups over who has power
records kept by a lord of payments made to them by their tenants
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