Happy Peasant's Revolt Day! (Patreon)

Today is the 636th anniversary of The Peasant’s Revolt (AKA: Wat Tyler’s Rebellion, or The Great Uprising)

In England 1381 three things were happening. The Black Death was killing a ton of people - and by extension creating increased demand for laborers to work the now unoccupied (and rapidly overgrown) lands. Regardless of this, some English nobility weren’t willing to pay more (in spite of wage increases elsewhere). In addition to this the nobility were increasing taxes for the 100 Years War (which they were losing).

Eventually the peasants had enough and started killing tax collectors, then nobles, then lords, and May 31st 1381 they overran London itself. King George the 3rd was only 14 so he was barely involved. And during this upheaval they managed to murder the Arch Bishop of Canterbury (who was fond of throwing radicals in dungeons)

The slogan during this time was “When Adam delve, and Eve Span, who then was the gentleman?”

In other words when Adam was working the earth, and Eve was making cloth, and humanity in essence was just beginning? where were the billionaires?

Bit biblical/binaried for my taste but I the message I think resonates even now, as we see obviously growing/audacious gaps in wealth between the ruling class and - well - everyone else.

There was no slavery then - per say - but Serfdom. Which is pretty damn close considering you were the property of a Lord and were only payed barely enough to scrape by (but also were taxed.)

During the revolt the Peasantry had a series of demands, including but not limited to the elimination of serfdom. For a second it looked like they would get their way and most of the peasants went back home. But radicals like John Ball stayed behind and pressed the Nobility even more.

So you know. The Nobility started murdering people themselves, people fled, and everything that was promised was taken back.

WOMP WOMP!

In celebration of the anniversary I treated myself and purchased a bearded ax. And tonight I will light a bonfire. You yourself might celebrate with:

• A feast

• A contribution to the ACLU

• Giving money to the homeless

• Donating to this Patreon ;-)