Virtual Tour - On The Trail of the Peasants Revolt

This sixty minute virtual tour looks at the events of the Peasants Revolt of 1381 and the places where it happened, places you can visit today.

In the 1300's a series of events creates the circumstances leading to violent unrest in England. The Black Death had killed much of the population, but when wages rise in the subsequent labour shortage, acts of parliament come in to curb wages.

Super rich people like John of Gaunt flaunt there wealth, yet the governments coffers are empty due to costly wars with France

To make up the shortfall a punitive new Poll Tax is introduced. People try to avoid registering for it , so magistrates are sent with powers of arrest for those who cannot pay.

Eventually in 1381 the people of the Essex village of Fobbing fight back.

This talk tells what happens next and the places associated with the Peasants Revolt - barns, castles, farms and quite a few pubs.