The Peasants' Revolt: England's Summer of Rage

In the summer of 1381, a spark from Essex ignited a fire that nearly consumed London. This episode explores the Peasants' Revolt, tracing the path of Wat Tyler and John Ball as they marched on the capital to confront King Richard II. We examine the specific grievances behind the Poll Tax, the radical theology of John Ball, and the tense negotiations at Smithfield where Tyler met his end. Through the eyes of chroniclers like Henry Knighton and Thomas Walsingham, we reconstruct the chaos of those days, the burning of the Savoy Palace, and the king’s courageous ride to Calais. Discover how this failed uprising fundamentally altered the feudal structure of England, forcing landowners to treat their laborers with greater humanity and setting the stage for the modern world. #PeasantsRevolt #WatTyler #JohnBall #RichardII #1381 #Smithfield #PollTax #MedievalEngland #SocialUnrest #Feudalism #LondonHistory #BlackDeath #StatuteOfLaborers #HenryKnighton #ThomasWalsingham #SimonBaker #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast #EuropeanHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo