The Peasants' Revolt 1381

The Peasants' Revolt of 1381 was the first major popular uprising in English history. Thousands of ordinary people marched on London to demand an end to serfdom, lower taxes, and greater freedom. Although the revolt was ultimately suppressed, it demonstrated that the common people could challenge the authority of the king and the ruling class.

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Background: Life After the Black Death

The Black Death of 1348--49 killed approximately one-third of England's population. This had profound consequences for the surviving peasants.

Change	Detail
Labour shortage	Far fewer workers meant peasants could demand higher wages
Greater freedom	Some peasants left their manors to work for better pay elsewhere
Landlord resistance	Lords tried to keep wages low and prevent peasants from leaving
Statute of Labourers (1351)	Parliament froze wages at pre-plague levels and made it illegal for peasants to leave their manor without permission