The Peasants' Revolt
I can explain different causes of the Peasants' Revolt.
The Peasants' Revolt
I can explain different causes of the Peasants' Revolt.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Peasants' Revolt began in June 1381 when residents of a town in Essex refused to pay the poll tax.
- Wat Tyler, a low-born labourer from Essex, became the leader of the revolt.
- Rebels committed acts of violence against the king’s tax collectors and the king’s advisors.
- The Peasants' Revolt was a failure for the peasants but strengthened the position of Richard II.
- Historians do not agree on the causes of the Peasants' Revolt.
Keywords
Revolt - violent action against a government or ruler
Poll tax - a payment made to the government by every adult, regardless of how wealthy they are
Serf - a peasant bound to work on a certain piece of land
Common misconception
Revolts and rebellions are driven purely by rage and frustration.
Most revolts and rebellions have a number of causes and are usually led by people with a plan and aims to achieve.
To help you plan your year 7 history lesson on: 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 Peasants' Revolt, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required