The Peasants Revolt 1381 | A Bloody Uprising of the Common People 

Peasant revolts are an underrated and fascinating phenomenon that doesn’t get nearly enough attention

"Milord, the peasants are revolting!" "Come now, I know that they reek but they're clearly not that bad, are they."

As a father to a daughter, I would've been filled with so much shame if I let some wanker check her out for tax purposes. Revolting against your king/government is no small feat not too mention that these blokes pulled it off is amazing. The fact we're still talking about it over 600 years later is a testament to these peoples' anger and taking a stand. Thank you History Squad.

My 11 year old cousin showed me your channel....I can see why Children are interested and watching your channel, any person that can get Children interested in history of any type is Amazing and I Salute you for your time and effort.....Well Done!!

Never take those that aren't as well off as you for granted. If they join forces, it can end badly for you.

I always love how nonchalant people look during depictions of catastrophic events of the Middle Ages. Look how happy those little guys are in the thumbnail

If we're not careful history has a tendency to repeat itself

“You can’t push people too far…” Wise words.

Brilliant. In order for the Revolt to be properly understood, it could be useful to look at what happened with the Jacquerie in France, only a few decades earlier. The French and English peasants were clearly not willing to accept any more arbitrary demands from the nobility.

They hated Lawyers and Politicians...i agree with the sentiment.

A beautiful Friday to sit down with Kevin Hicks

It's amazing how history repeats itself isn't it. Great video, thank you.✌️😎

One of the best storytellers on youtube. Great video.

Firstly nice to see you wearing Richard’s Boar 👍 And as a man of Kent (born south of the river Medway) I’m proud that this great county had a hand in this great part of history.

you can only take things from people for so long before they decide ''you know what? if everything is fucked anyways I may as well take a few of these bastards with me''

That was the best story of the Revolt I've ever heard. Thanks Kevin

Wow just put it together when you said 1 of 18 heads that will roll that night. That’s must be where our modern saying “heads will roll” is from! Very cool thanks for all the videos Kevin

It appears Mr. Hicks is not reading this off a screen. This is memorized isn't it. Very impressive. New subscriber.

Was excited to hear your take on The Peasant Revolt, I know how you feel about the common man getting the short end. I think the Revolt after the plague years was inevitable, with outrageous taxes (which lives in 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' about the wool tax of 1275) with common people doing better for themselves and getting the nobilities nose with their brightly colored clothes and pointy shoes, but more were sending their kids to the local schools run by the church so literacy was increasing among the peasants and one of the reasons that Revolt was so well organized was that with an increase of literacy they were circulating letters to each other with instructions. Thomas Walsing wrote down one these letter in his chronicle and its thought that they are cryptic instructions for organizing, such "John Sheep greetth well John Nameless and John the Miller and biddth they chastise well Hob the Robber and look shape ye to one head and no more." Thought that they are saying only have one leader or saying to meet up at Canterbury at the head of the Bishop. Chastising Hob the Robber might also be instructions to not do any looting but look for the documents with the green seal and target the lawyers and John of Gaunt's cronies. As for as the vitriol toward lawyers and politicians, well somethings never change, do they?

Sounds very familiar. We work and our wages go to the wars we didn’t ask for. Revolt?

Kevin is the history teacher we all needed growing up. Thank goodness it’s not too late for us to learn from one of the greats! Thanks Kevin!

Don't need the historical version anymore. We are living in the modern revolt right now.

reading the title it brought back memories of the comic strip “Wizard of Id” where a soldier rushed to tell the king “the peasants are revolting” to which he said “you can say that again” sums up the nobility’s disregard for commoners that they relied so heavily on for centuries nicely- push them enough snd they will fight back even if it’s futile

Absolutely love the way you tell history Kevin. So glad I found your channel.

“The problem was the rich” Wow, what a surprise.

I was excited to see Kevin doing this event in history. There’s not much info on RU-vid concerning the Peasant revolt but it seems to have important historical significance. The ideas expressed in the manifesto by the peasants concerning human rights and personal freedom seem to be almost modern in their demands and their wishes for recognition by the upper class of personal rights and freedoms of all people - regardless of social standing. While the revolt did not achieve the aims of the participants, this could be considered the first time ever these ideals had been expressed in a formal document, paving the way for subsequent revolts and movements by the people for human rights and fair treatment for all - not just an elite upper class as had been the way going back to the earliest (recorded) human history. Thanks for the great storytelling, Mr.Kevin! I was so glad when I saw you’d chosen to cover this fascinating event!

Seems like alot of bloodshed in history could be avoided if those in power simply paid their employees a fair wage

What a story! You make the old times come alive. Thank you!

This is how children should be taught.😊

Hands down my favourite account of the peasants revolt. Thank you. Please, drop by next week. You're welcome anytime.

I love this bloke. He explains everything so clearly and keeps you engaged , start to finish . Keep um coming 😊😊

Kevin is such a good storyteller. I love the props and camera work. Way to go!

I could watch Kevin all day. Greatest history teacher of all time.

This is one of my favourite events in history. To think what we peasants could do if we had the backbone & a good leader. They must have had amazing hardy horses to get the distances from differant places in the speed they did. Thanks again Kevin. Loved this

You make it sound like you could be there if you just shut your eyes for a minute. Amazing work Kev

The way Hicks explains history, he's able to bring you back there and help you understand these incredible events!

The Ken Follett book 'pillars of the earth' and it's sequel 'world without end' are amazing for getting a feel off life in those times, and class distinctions

History is repeating itself

When my husband and I visited England in 1999 (from Georgia, USA), we went to Canterbury Cathedral, and heard about Sudbury’s body with the cannonball. I’ve seen photos of his head at Sudbury. Guess his 2 pieces will never be reunited! I have a Henry III long cross penny I bought in Tewkesbury in 2014, and an Edward I coin I bought in Cornwall in 2022. I just love medieval England history and you tell it so well, Kevin!

The game Knights and Merchants had an expansion called The Peasant Rebellion and I believe it was based on this part of history

A superb video , as a lad born in Barts and growing up in Clerkenwell I heard the story from my Grandad. Your efforts added real substance and I'd like to thank you for your research and hard work

Yep. The Plague. First thing I was thinking of when I've heard about the reasons. Thanks for the very detailed explanation

So much of what happened seems applicable today. Awesome history lesson.

Excellent show.hello from Poland.

You really make this history come alive. Cheers from across the pond!

Recently watched a Tony Robinson documentary on the same subject ... and even with all the money, time, production costs, having bloody Mike Loades ride the entire route on a horse!! I even think you where in it 😂😂 It had nothing on this! I only wish your videos were longer, would love to see you star in a full on documentary! The way you portray history is inspiring ... Amazing video Kevin, great watch!

Sudbury's rugby team should rename themselves the "Sudbury-Drag-Outsiders-And -Club-Scoudrels"AC. Their mascot would be a bishop with a cannonball head. Good vid!

I studied this in College, but this is the best telling of the story, I have heard. I have never truly understood how serfdom survived for so long.

If my teachers taught like you I would have been a straight A student. You make everything so fascinating.

Oh finally someone that has something interesting to talk about! Thank you

Thank you good sir for keeping our culture and history alive!

I truly appreciate your ability to tell history with background information. This brings history alive and far more understandable 🤠

I have a certain sympathy for the peasant's revolt. Great story, brilliantly told!

Probably the best graphic account I have heard on this subject. Thank you.

I read that what they said to get Wat Tyler so pissed off and kicked off the fight, was one of the King's servants claimed he knew Tyler from his city, and claimed he was just a common thief.

The way he said one of 18 heads to roll had me engrossed. I really wish someone would fund this guy. I love his castle tours! I especially like watching him in all his cool costumes more than whatever nonsense history channel passes as “history” today.

Greetings once again from Nova Scotia, thank you for another top shelf video, I knew some of the details of this chapter in history, but you good sir, are a born teacher. I don't know but it feels like we may soon be down that road again. Anyway be safe and as always best regards, Arthur

The BEST History Channel in the world. You literally make history come to life! Thank you so very much for your time and effort in creating these amazing videos!

Another gem! Not from England but allways wait ur new videos.

Kevin hicks the best historian presenter on RU-vid, give the man a tv show on national television covering English and European history

They need to give Kevin a presenter role on BBC historical documentaries.

I look forward to Fridays. With Kevin's costumes and models, and 'the history chap' videos and Friday chats I get lots of history info. Well done Kevin and Chris, my two 'go to' history buffs.x

Lord Kevin Hicks with another tremendous lesson for us common folk. I’d reckon you would make a fine king. Thanks for your efforts and for being the best history teacher.

Brilliant! Medieval economics and labour politics is one of my favourite historical subjects. Have you made a video about John of Gaunt? He's one of the key figures in Medieval Europe.

Perfect timing, needed something to watch at 6am

You’re the best history teacher ever.

Hey! It's gonna be a great day when Kevin talks to us about history!

That was insanely interesting. The kind of stuff that made me fascinated with history. Thank you. That was fantastic.

awesome episode Kevin, its almost through out history the common people always seem to loose one way or another. Was like that in the Swiss Peasant War of 1653

Excellent, top shelf. You explained it so vividly, it was like I was actually there.... Again.

Hell yeah. I was watching a coffeezilla video but as soon as this came on, boom here i am. Great start to a Friday.

Want to thank the algorithm for recommending this channel. Your story telling ability is top notch, plus extra points for the medieval clothing. Wish I could take a time machine just to checkout all these historical accounts. Power to the people! 💪😎

I just stumbled across this channel not too long ago and I must say well done! The passion you have for the subject makes it beyond easy to listen too an most importantly retain the information.

An absolutely brilliant relation of a pivotal event in history. My GCE history teacher, he taught us trade union history rather than traditional kings and queens stuff, would have been very happy to see this, had he still been alive.

This man is quite devoted to a realistic presentation of the past. Great video.

I love the way you explain things. So well, in fact, I listen twice just to hear you outline everything for us.

Always a great start to the workday when the History Squad uploads

The wearer of the white boar tells a great tale anyone who has not seen his work this is a great place to start! A very good presentation.

I think you touched on this before but lovely to hear a much more detailed account of it - Cheers Kevin

Kevin, I can't believe how much information you can cram into your head. And where do you get your source material? The story of the Peasants Revolt was engaging from the beginning to the end. Thank you telling it.

Reminds me of a movie quote from the 1996 film Dragon heart. "The peasants are revolting!" "They've always been revolting, now they're rebellin'." 35:04 Seems as though the 14 year old king had a lot to teach his older self. He might not have died so pitifully in 1399 had he remembered what happened during the revolt.

I love hearing/learning about England back in the 1000-1600AD years. It was so much different than now, but so much similar in other ways.

Excellent Kevin cheers again.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

After this last week, so many of my favorite youtubers across all niches are coming in clutch with their uploads. Despite the somber subject, its always a delight to see a video from yall, thank you so much for your dedication and hardwork.

its fascinating to imagine the scene unfolding as you describe events. What I wouldn't give to go back and be a fly on the wall during such events

There's a Horrible Histories bit demonstrating the changes in wages after the Black Death. A bunch of peasants knock on a nobleman's door and demand higher pay, to which the noble asks, "Is this some peasant joke that I'm too rich to understand?"

I recently watched a video on the tower of London, and this was part of it and how surfs become tenant farmers. But I'm always glad to get the full story here 👍 also how the young king handles himself pretty mature

Wow your videos are the best and when i see you at the museum in like maybe 3 weeks and i am going to be donating a model that you need soon

Peasants revolt is darn close to a civil war almost. Jolly good show my kind sir. Thank you Kevin!✌️

Bells ring out, Notifications sent, A tapestry from the History Squad, Does forth present, A tale of woe? A fight between armies? Or a policeman's tale, In a graveyard eating sarn'ies, Enthralled with these stories, We conjure images in awe, Of Kings and their archers, As they lay down the law, Or Frontier tales, Of Indians fighting Custer, Or just how in medieval times, Did armies they muster? Tales and lore, Patiently read, Kev never forgetting, To count up the dead, There will surely be blood, Man’s inhumanity and it’s suffering, But always at the good bit, My phone will start buffering, So thank you Kev, For thy stories of dread, Which I serve up at night-time, To my wife, in our bed.

What a great storytelling. Thank you sire.

Already upvoted, didnt even watch the video yet, again, I already know its going to be good. grateful for every new video.

Your story telling is elite

Great show Kevin enjoyed it immensely keep them coming.

Over a decade of wage stagnation under the Tories, rising poverty, the return of Victorian diseases, more foodbanks than Macdonald's yet the rich keep getting richer. Peasants Revolt Part 2 is needed!

Fascinating as ever. I can see certain current day politicians who consider themselves to be of the “elite” going misty eyed and nostalgic for the days of the serf. I wonder how far we can be pushed before a similar revolt? Thank you for another dive into our history.

Hell yeah! I read a book about this, the revolt was freaking knarley! Fascinating stuff 👌

I remember learning about it in middle school. I have always loved history. I live in scarborough, Yorkshire, and my grandson came over recently, I asked him what was his favourite thing about scarborough, he replied the history grandad, the history. Not a bad for a 9 year old lad.

YESSS Friday AND new Kev just dropped!! 🎉🎉🎉 gonna be a good day 😎 Better watch out for that Lord Mayor, ol' Wot!!! 😂

Once again Kevin thank you for an excellent chapter in the English history.