The Peasants’ Revolt: What Happened in 1381 and Why It Matters

The episode unpacks the summer of 1381, when a mass revolt over poll taxes burst into London, challenged King Richard II’s rule, and forced the crown to confront popular dissent. By tracing the rebels’ actions, contemporary sources, and later historian interpretations, we see how this moment exposed the limits of medieval monarchy, influenced taxation policy, and left a legacy that reverberates in debates over state‑citizen relations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices