The Peasants' Revolt of 1381

13 to 15 June 1381

In June 1381 the rebels of the Peasants' Revolt came to London. Over three days the young King Richard II sheltered, negotiated and then saw the revolt's leader killed.4,6,19

  1. Rebels cross London Bridge4

    Rebels in London

    Tyler and other Kentish rebels crossed London Bridge to enter the city.

  2. The King cannot land at Greenwich1,5

    The King

    The King set out by the Thames, but crowds at Greenwich made it impossible to land, so he returned to the Tower.

  3. Rebels in the city4,22

    Rebels in London

    Once in London, the rebels destroyed legal records, opened prisons, sacked homes and killed those they thought associated with the royal government.

  4. The King in the Tower4,23

    The King

    The King sheltered in the Tower of London with his councillors and agreed that the Crown lacked the forces to disperse the rebels, so negotiation was the only feasible option.

  5. The King meets the rebels1,6

    The King

    The 14-year-old King Richard II met the rebels and agreed to many concessions and to give them full pardons.

  6. Talks at Mile End1,24

    Rebels in London

    The King rode out and met the rebels at Mile End and agreed to their demands, but this only emboldened them and they continued looting and killings.

  7. Parley at Smithfield1,7

    Smithfield

    Tyler and his Kentish forces parleyed with King Richard at Smithfield outside London, where Tyler put forward his demands.

  8. Walworth kills Tyler4,7,8

    Smithfield

    After an altercation broke out, William Walworth, the Lord Mayor of London, pulled Wat Tyler from his horse and killed him.

  9. The King leads the crowd away4,7,29

    The King

    After Tyler's death the King said "I am your captain, follow me!" and led the mob away from the scene.

  10. The rebels disperse4,7,30

    The King

    Walworth gathered a force to surround the peasant army, but the King granted clemency and allowed the rebels to disperse and go home.