Summary

When people think of the Peasants Revolt, usually, the focus is on the Kentish Rebels. But what about the rebels north of London? Join Eri Berry as she explores how the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt kicked off in Essex, the stories of the key players from this rebellion and the legacy they left behind.

In 1381, widespread anger over unfair tax burdens, economic hardship, and centuries of feudal control sparked the Peasants’ Revolt – one of the most famous popular uprisings in English history. In this episode, Eri traces the origins of the rebellion and explore the pivotal role played by the people of Essex, who fired the very first sparks of revolt and marched alongside Wat Tyler to demand fundamental change from the young King Richard II.

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Key Names and Places:

King Richard II, John of Gaunt, Thomas Baker, John Ball, Wat Tyler, Essex, Fobbing, Brentwood, Colchester, London, Tower of London, Canterbury, St. Albans

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Transcript

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Sources and Further Reading

Overview & background:

• Wikipedia, “Peasants’ Revolt” – used for general background and as a starting point for further reading

Further reading / direct sources:

• Crossley, James (2022). Spectres of John Ball: The Peasants’ Revolt in English Political History, 1381–2020. London: Equinox. ISBN 978-1800501362.
• Hilton, Rodney (1995). Bondmen Made Free: Medieval Peasant Movements and the English Rising of 1381. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-01880-7.
• Rubin, Miri (2006). The Hollow Crown: a History of Britain in the Late Middle Ages. London: Penguin. ISBN 978-0-14-014825-1.

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DISCLAIMER

While I do my best to bring you accurate, well-researched content, I’m only human! If you spot a mistake, have a correction, or want to share additional context, please feel free to reach out via email at unexpectedessex@gmail.com.

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Image Attribution

Episode images:

Image:	Description:	Source Name:	Source URL:	Attribution:	Licence Type:	Date Downloaded:	Modified? (Where needed)
01 Reeve and Serfs.jpg	Medieval illustration of men harvesting wheat with reaping-hooks or sickles, on a calendar page for August. Queen Mary’s Psalter. Depicts feudalism and socage in Medieval Europe	Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reeve_and_Serfs.jpg	anonymous (Queen Mary Master), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
02 Medieval ploughing woodcut.jpg	Medieval ploughing with oxen (from a 14th century manuscript)	Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Medievalplowingwoodcut.jpg	See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
03 William the Conqueror Illumination.png	William the Conqueror of England portrayed in the Genealogical Chronicle of the English Kings.	Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_the_Conqueror_Illumination.png	AnonymousUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
04 Edward III.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EdwardIII_(1).jpg	TheAncientHistorian, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
05 Battle of Crecy – Froissart.jpg	Battle of Crécy between the English and French in the Hundred Years’ War.	Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Battle_of_crecy_froissart.jpg	Loyset Liédet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
06 Florence Bubonic Plague 1348.jpg	Painting shows Florence as imagined in 1348 under the Black Death, although it was created centuries later. Editor Eri’s note: Yes, I know Florence is in Italy – I’m working with what I can find, it’s the same year after all! 🙂	Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Florence_Bubonic_Plague_1348.jpg	not stated, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
07 Two men threshing sheaf – Luttrell Psalter (c.1325-1335).jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Two_men_threshing_sheaf_-_Luttrell_Psalter_(c.1325-1335),_f.74v_-_BL_Add_MS_42130_(cropped).jpg	British Library, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons	CC0	12/09/2026
08 Richard II of England.png		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Richard_II_of_England.png	NPG.org.uk, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
09 William Blake depiction of Wat Tyler.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Blake_Wat_Tyler-bw.jpg	William Blake, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
10 Fobbing, St Michael.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fobbing,_St_Michael_-_geograph.org.uk_-_7366360.jpg	Fobbing, St Michael by Dave Kelly, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons	CC BY-SA 2.0	12/09/2026
11 Edward III of England.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edward_III_of_England_(Order_of_the_Garter).jpg	William Bruges, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
12 Reeve and Serfs.jpg	Duplicate of 01 Reeve and Serfs.jpg – see above for attribution
13 Knights.jpg	Oath of fealty to a king by vassals in armour, from a 14th-century medieval manuscript.	Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BNF_Fr_4274_8v_knight_detail.jpg	Bibliothèque nationale de France, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
14 Peasants.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_history_of_medi%C3%A6val_and_modern_Europe_for_secondary_schools_(1920)_(14577759538).jpg	Internet Archive Book Images, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons	No Restrictions	12/09/2026
15 Cleric, Knight, and Workman representing the Three Classes.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cleric,_Knight,_and_Workman_representing_the_Three_Classes.jpg	Unknown authorUnknown author., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
16 Angels.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Angels_with_ciole_and_vielle.jpg	See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
17 Men Feasting.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Late_medieval_boar_head.jpg	Barthélémy l’Anglais, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
18 Medieval Rabbits.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Medieval_rabbits_(7).jpg	Автор неизвестен, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
19 Edward III.jpg	Duplicate of 04 Edward III.jpg – see above for image attribution
20 French defeated at Calais.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_French_defeated_before_Calais_by_Edward_III.jpg	Virgil Master (illuminator), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
21 Tour Tanguy in Brest.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tourtanguy042006.jpg	S. DÉNIEL, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons	CC BY-SA 2.5	12/09/2026	No
22 Richard II of England.png	Duplicate of 08 Richard II of England.png – see above for image attribution
23 John of Gaunt.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johnofgaunt.jpg	Said variously to be attributed to Lucas Cornelisz de Kock (1495–1552) (who however died 41 years before the painting is said (by Oliver Harris, 2010) to have been commissioned, sometimes erroneously ascribed to Luca Cornelli., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
24 Domesday Book.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Domesday-book-1804×972.jpg	Andrews, William, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
25 Bocking Church.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bocking_church_-_geograph.org.uk_-_7530537.jpg	Bocking church by Robin Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons	CC BY-SA 2.0	12/09/2026
26 Rochester Castle Keep and Bailey.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rochester_Castle_Keep_and_Bailey_0038stcp.JPG	Clem Rutter, Rochester, Kent, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons	CC BY 3.0	12/09/2026
27 Maidstone tithe barn.jpg	14th Century tithe barn in Maidstone	Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maidstone._The_tithe_barn_was_built_in_the_14th_century_and_was_subsequently_used_as_the_stables_of_the_nearby_palace_of_the_Archbishop_of_Canterbury.jpg	John K Thorne, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
28 William Blake depiction of Wat Tyler.jpg	Duplicated from 09 William Blake depiction of Wat Tyler.jpg – see above for attribution
29 Canterbury Cathedral.jpeg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canterbury_Cathedral_-_Portal_Nave_Cross-spire.jpeg	Hans Musil, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons	CC BY-SA 4.0	12/09/2026	No
30 Joan of Kent.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Joan_of_Kent.jpg	British Library, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
31 John Ball encouraging Wat Tyler rebels.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Ball_encouraging_Wat_Tyler_rebels_from_ca_1470_MS_of_Froissart_Chronicles_in_BL.jpg	Unknown medieval artist illustrating Froissart’s Chronicles, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
32 William Morris John Ball speech depiction.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William.Morris.John.Ball.trimmed.jpg	Edward Burne-Jones, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
33 Tower of London.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Outer_curtain_wall_and_entrance_gate_at_the_Tower_of_London,_with_the_medieval_White_Tower_visible_in_the_background.jpg	Oleg Yunakov, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons	CC BY-SA 4.0	12/09/2026	No
34 Richard II meets the rebels.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean_Froissart,_Chroniques,_154v,_12148_btv1b8438605hf336,_crop.jpg	Jean Froissart, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
35 John of Gaunt.jpg	Duplicate of 23 John of Gaunt.jpg – please see above for attribution
36 Edward III.jpg	Duplicate of 04 Edward III – please see above for attribution
37 Temple Church, Temple – London.jpeg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Temple_Church,_Temple,_London_EC4.jpeg	John Salmon / Temple Church, Temple, London EC4, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons	CC BY-SA 2.0	12/09/2026	No
38 Savoy Palace.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Savoy_Palace.jpg	James Henry Leigh Hunt, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
39 Alfred Garth Jones – Peasants Revolt.jpg	The burning of Savoy Palace	Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alfred_Garth_Jones_Peasants_Revolt.jpg	Alfred Garth Jones (1872–1955), FAL, via Wikimedia Commons	Free Art Licence	12/09/2026
40 Richard II of England.png	Duplicate of 08 Richard II of England.png – see above for attribution
41 Murder of Sudbury and Hales.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:00peasant2.jpg	Jean Froissart, Crônicas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons	CC BY-SA 4.0	12/09/2026	No
42 Skull of Simon Sudbury.jpg	St Gregory’s church in Sudbury – Archbishop Simon Sudbury’s skull	Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Gregory%27s_church_in_Sudbury_-_archbishop_Simon%27s_skull_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2094629.jpg	St Gregory’s church in Sudbury – archbishop Simon’s skull by Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons	CC BY-SA 2.0	12/09/2026	No
43 King Henry IV.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King_Henry_IV_from_NPG_(2).jpg	National Portrait Gallery, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
44 Joan of Kent.jpg	Duplicate of 30 Joan of Kent.jpg – see above for attribution
45 John of Gaunt.jpg	Duplicate of 23 John of Gaunt.jpg – see above for attribution
46 Death of Wat Tyler.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DeathWatTylerFull.jpg	See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
47 Richard II Takes Control of the Rebels.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Richard_II_Takes_Control_of_the_Rebels.jpg	James William Edmund Doyle, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
48 Thomas of Woodstock.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ThomasWoodstock.jpg	British Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
49 Henry Despenser.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Henry_Despenser.jpg	User:Amitchell125, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons	Public Domain	12/09/2026
50 John Ball Plaque.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Ball_of_Colchester_Priest_A_leader_of_the_Peasants_revolt_executed_at_St_Albans_15th_July_1381.jpg	Spudgun67, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons	CC0	12/09/2026
51 West Smithfield, Memorial to Wat Tyler and the Peasants’ Revolt.jpg		Wikimedia Commons	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:West_Smithfield,_Memorial_to_Wat_Tyler_and_the_Peasants%E2%80%99_Revolt.jpg	AndyScott, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons	CC0	12/09/2026

Intro image attributions:

Image:	Source Name:	Source URL:	Attribution:	Licence Type:	Date Downloaded:	Modified?
Bridge End Gardens Saffron Walden.jpg	Flickr	https://flic.kr/p/dxR7Ki	“Meeting up with Ola, Lisa, and Rex in Saffron Walden” by Tim Regan, CC BY 2.0	CC BY 2.0	31/08/2026	No
Chelmsford Cathedral.jpg	Flickr	https://flic.kr/p/7u9rHa	“Chelmsford Cathedral” by fourthandfifteen, CC BY 2.0	CC BY 2.0	31/08/2026	No
Southend Pier With Greenery.jpg	Flickr	https://flic.kr/p/6Fe3eX	“Southend Pier.” by Jim Linwood, CC BY 2.0	CC BY 2.0	31/08/2026	No
Colchester Castle.jpg	Flickr	https://flic.kr/p/DqxK3b	“Colchester Castle” by William Marnoch, CC BY 2.0	CC BY 2.0	31/08/2026	No
Mersea Island Beach Huts.jpg	Flickr	https://flic.kr/p/2kYHhzg	“Pretty pastel beach huts” by Jerry Clack, CC BY 2.0	CC BY 2.0	31/08/2026	No
Hobbs Cross Harlow.jpg	Flickr	https://flic.kr/p/2jtpvVB	“Hobbs Cross, Harlow” by Sludge G, CC BY-SA 2.0	CC BY-SA 2.0	31/08/2026	No
Finchingfield.jpg	Flickr	https://flic.kr/p/7TWVL6	“Finchingfield” by Brian Snelson, CC BY 2.0	CC BY 2.0	31/08/2026	No
Harlow Riverboats Sunset.jpg	Flickr	https://flic.kr/p/2f1Tuvv	“Harlow” by Kent Wang, CC BY-SA 2.0	CC BY-SA 2.0	31/08/2026	No
St Peter on the Wall.jpg	Flickr	https://flic.kr/p/2pbUhCC	“Chapel of St Peter on the Wall” by Tom Bastin, CC BY 2.0	CC BY 2.0	31/08/2026	No
Swans River Stour.jpg	Flickr	https://flic.kr/p/2jwdsfA	“River Stour” by Jason Boldero, CC BY 2.0	CC BY 2.0	31/08/2026	No
Thaxted Guildhall and Church.jpg	Flickr	https://flic.kr/p/4qhScp	“Thaxted guildhall” by Marco Chiesa, CC BY 2.0	CC BY 2.0	31/08/2026	No
Hedingham Castle.jpg	Flickr	https://flic.kr/p/2m7mEwe	“Hedingham Castle – Norman Keep in England” by Steve Knight, CC BY 2.0	CC BY 2.0	05/09/2026	No
Hatfield Forest Lake.jpg	Flickr	https://flic.kr/p/2cXBELC	“Hatfield Forest Lake” by Jason Boldero, CC BY 2.0	CC BY 2.0	31/08/2026	No