Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that
government reaction to the Peasants’ Revolt was the use of force.
Source A: An anonymous chronicler, with connections to the royal court, gives his version of events.
The king sent his messengers to various parts of the country in order to capture the malefactors and put them to death. Many were hanged in London and elsewhere…Finally, as it pleased God, the king saw that too many of his subjects would be undone and too much blood shed, so he took pity in his heart and, with the advice and assent of his council, ordained that they should receive his grace and pardon for their misdeeds, on condition that they should never rise again…Everyone was to have his charter and pay the king a fee to make him rich.
Anonimalle Chronicle, 1333–1381
Source B: A Royal Commission is issued for the Keeping of the Peace in the city of London.
We desire with all our heart, especially at this time of disturbance, to duly protect and secure the city of London in the face of the invasion and assaults of those men who, as you know, have recently risen against our will in various parts of our realm. We appoint you to defend and protect the said city, its suburbs and other places without, both by sea and by water, at our command, but according to your own discretion, by the means which seem to you most safe and expedient.
The Patent Roll for 1381
Source C: A French chronicler explains how the Revolt was dealt with.
After Wat Tyler, Jack Straw, John Ball and divers others were executed in London, the king was counselled to go and visit his realm…to purge and punish the evil-doers and to get back all the letters which he had been forced to give them, in various places, and thus bring his realm back to good order. Then the king sent secretly for a certain number of men of arms to come to him at a day appointed and so they did to the number of five hundred spears and as many archers. The king departed from London…and made his way to Kent, where the rebels’ first began to stir.
Jean Froissart, Chronicle, written before 1405
Source D: A monk gives his account of the suppression of the revolt.
On the death of that most arrant rascal Wat Tyler, the hope and trust of the rustics collapsed. But as the king and his counsellors were yet in doubt as to whether the people were still disposed to evil, they granted charters of manumission and pardon to them and allowed them to depart. After this the king assembled an army of Londoners and sent messengers into the country asking all those who loved him and honoured the realm to hurry to him in London, well-armed and on horse back. No one was to come weaponless or on foot.
Thomas of Walsingham, St Alban’s Chronicle, written before 1422
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Answer
