Wat Tyler’s Rebellion, also called the Peasants’ Revolt, was an uprising by English farm laborers in 1381. The peasants objected to the harsh conditions under which they lived, such as forced labor and heavy taxation. An unfair new tax touched off the uprising. A man named Wat Tyler, whose origins and occupation are unknown, dominated the movement for eight days.
Riots broke out in many parts of England. Mobs destroyed property and killed many tax collectors and wealthy people. On June 11, 1381, Tyler led thousands of angry peasants from Kent in a march on London. They and thousands of other peasants from Essex arrived outside the city walls on June 12. The leaders of the peasants demanded to see King Richard II. The king, who was only 14 years old, finally agreed to listen to their demands on June 14. The rebels demanded an end to serfdom, and a low rent on freed lands. They also called for a repeal of England’s burdensome labor laws. The king agreed to their terms, and most of the mob disbanded. But Tyler and many rebels remained in the London area and killed more people, including Archbishop Simon Sudbury and England’s treasurer, Robert Hales.
On June 15, Richard met with Tyler and the rebels again. At this meeting, Tyler was attacked and wounded after he seemed to threaten the king’s life. Tyler died then or soon afterward. Upon seeing the attack on Tyler, the rebels moved against the king’s party. But Richard courageously stopped their advance by riding out alone to meet them. He shouted that he was their true leader and that they should follow him. This action won the rebels’ respect, and Richard led them out of the city. Richard later broke his promises to the rebels. However, the rebellion inspired other popular movements for freedom and equality in England.
