Why Did The Peasants' Revolt (1381) Fail?

In this essay I will examine the principal reasons which led to the failure of the Peasants Revolt in 1381. Firstly I will look at the development of the rebellion, I shall then look at the primary reasons for its failure and finally assess whether in the greater context of things the revolt can be classed as a failure.

The revolt was precipitated by aggressive attempts on the part of the nobility to enforce the third poll tax which allegedly was to finance a continuation of the hundred years war. The problems encountered with the poll were that it was not levied on a flat rate basis nor according to schedule and this caused widespread discontent. The event that finally sparked the uprising was the attempt to force the village of Brentwood to pay the recent poll tax. When John Bampton demanded that they pay the village insisted they already had and when he tried to have them arrested he was chased out of town by one hundred men led by Thomas Baker. Subsequently troops were sent to deal with the village but were again successfully driven away and the discontent among the peasants began to slowly spread. In 1381 two groups from essex and Kent marched on London with Walter Tyler at their head and proceeded to storm the tower of London. They executed all they found inside including The Lord Chancellor, The Lord Treasurer and the Archbishop of Cantebury who was synonymous with the poll tax and then proceeded to sack London destroying scores of buildings including the Savoy Palace. The government lacked any significant military capability and so decided to follow a policy of conciliation with the King meeting the mob and its leader Wat Tyler first at Mile end and then at Smithfield.

At Smithfield Wat Tyler left his army and proceeded towards the King with the intention of confirming the promises the King had made at Mile End to end feudal serfdom, to abolish market monopolies and to end the service to a feudal lord. Tyler, it is alleged by his killers, behaved most belligerently and dismounted his horse and called for a drink most rudely. In the ensuing dispute Tyler drew his dagger and William Walwortorth, the Mayor of London drew his sword and attacked Tyler, mortally wounding him in the neck. Seeing him surrounded by the King's entourage the Rebel Army was in uproar, but King Richard, seizing the opportunity, rode forth and promised the Rebels all was well, that Tyler had been knighted, and their demands would be met and they were to March to St John's Fields, where Wat Tyler would meet them. The rebels did so in good faith but the King broke his promise and the peasants were met with a militia of 7000 and most of the leaders were captured and executed. Following the collapse of the revolt the Kings concessions were quickly revoked and the tax was levied it seemed they had gained nothing.

Whilst the attack on London was a success due to the element of surprise and the help of the locals in gaining access to the city it appears the peasants became lax with the apprant ease at which King Richard capitulated to their demands at Mile end and the ease at which they stormed London and this was to lead to their downfall. The leader of their army should never have been so naive as to think he could walk unaccompanied into the heart of the opposition and come out unscathed and it was this overconfident attitude that led to his death and subsequently the destruction of the rebellion. Even after their leaders death though the initiative was still with the peasants and when the King rushed out to greet them to explain what had happened they had the prime opportunity to strike him down but again were betrayed by their gullibility and agreed to follow him to St Johns Fields where they were routed by the waiting militia