6.4.2

Was the Revolt a Threat to the King's Power?

Test yourself

Was the Revolt a Threat to the King's power?

Although the Revolt threatened the King's military power, it didn't threaten him personally. The rebels were still loyal to the King.

Illustrative background for Yes- armed oppositionIllustrative background for Yes- armed opposition ?? "content

Yes- armed opposition

  • The rebels formed an army of more than 60,000 men who marched to London to confront the King.
  • They were directly opposing the King's power to raise the Poll Tax through parliament.
Illustrative background for Yes- no more foreign warsIllustrative background for Yes- no more foreign wars ?? "content

Yes- no more foreign wars

  • Part of the King's power was based on military ability.
  • The Peasants' Revolt indirectly threatened the King's power as a successful war leader.
  • Without the funds from Poll Tax, King Richard had to scale back the fighting in France and negotiate for peace.
Illustrative background for No- no personal threat Illustrative background for No- no personal threat  ?? "content

No- no personal threat

  • The Peasants' Revolt posed no threat to King Richard personally.
  • The rebels made their loyalty to him as monarch clear. E.g. John Ball's speech at Blackheath.
  • When Wat Tyler was killed, the rebels didn't attack. They peacefully followed the King away and went home.
Illustrative background for No- they weren't protesting the King himselfIllustrative background for No- they weren't protesting the King himself ?? "content

No- they weren't protesting the King himself

  • The rebels marched to London to protest for a better life and to complain about the actions of some of King Richard's advisors, not the King himself.
  • They were prepared to negotiate with Richard, as long as he took them seriously.
  • There was never a threat to Richard's crown.

Jump to other topics

1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson