The Peasants' Revolt of 1381, 1804 (1906)

The Peasants' Revolt of 1381, 1804 (1906). King Richard II and his council go down the Thames in a barge to confer with the rebels. In the summer of 1381 a revolt began after the introduction of a poll tax in England, with. particularly strong rebellions in Kent and Essex. The rebels marched on London and by 12 June were camped at Mile End and Blackheath. The camp grew dramatically as London's poor joined the protest. The mob began executing ministers, killed the Archbishop of Canterbury and raided the palaces of unpopular bishops and lords. Richard II met the peasants at Smithfield where the Mayor of London killed the peasants' leader, Wat Tyler. One of a group of aquatints illustrating scenes from British history from an illuminated manuscript copy of Froissart's 'Chronicles' held at the British Library, London. From Medieval London, Vol. 1 - Historical & Social, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1906]. Artist: John Harris the Elder. (Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images)