- The government’s attempt to impose a poll tax to finance the Hundred Years’ War pushed peasants to rebellion.
- Economic hardship following the Black Death, which had killed a large portion of the population decades earlier, exacerbated tensions.
- The revolt targeted symbols of royal authority and demanded an end to serfdom and unjust taxation.
- Though brutally suppressed, it forced the elite to rethink feudal structures and contributed to long-term social change.
Conclusion: Peasant Rebellions Were More Than Simple Revolts
Peasant rebellions were complex social phenomena rooted in deep economic hardship, social inequality, political turmoil, and cultural values. They were expressions of frustration and hope by marginalized people who sought justice, dignity, and a better life.
While often crushed by superior forces, these uprisings forced rulers to acknowledge peasant grievances, sometimes leading to reforms. Their legacy lives on as reminders that history is shaped not only by kings and generals but also by the courage of ordinary people standing up against oppression.
John Hardyng: Henry V’s Secret Agent
In the early 15th century, during the tumultuous period of the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of the Roses, John Hardyng emerged as a notable figure in English history. A soldier, chronicler, and clandestine operative, Hardyng's contributions to the English crown were multifaceted and, at times, controversial shutdown123