1381: The Year of the Peasants’ Revolt

In this excellent in-depth examination of the Peasants Revolt in England at the time of Richard II, Barker (Agincourt: Henry V and the Battle that Made England) shatters the popular image of grubby serfs armed with pitchforks challenging authority. Using the many records of the time, Barker establishes the background to the revolt, distinguishing individual actors rather than seeing “the peasants” as a unit. Following the steep decrease in population after the plague years, local industry and general literacy increased. However, commoners in both town and country found that their wages did not increase and new taxes were being imposed to support the ongoing war in France. Reaction to this came not from the poorest citizens but from “those who... had managed to build up a larger than average landholding or a modestly successful business.” Exploitation by the aristocracy was compounded by a general belief, borne from experience, that local officials were corrupt. Barker details the course of the revolt from the agitators’ initial success in getting concessions from Richard II through its ultimate failure. Fascinating and informative, Barker’s authoritative analysis of this medieval crisis takes on a haunting resonance in the modern day. [em](Oct.) [/em]