Poll Tax 1379 & 1381

The tax in 1381 was one groat (fourpence) and children under 14 and beggars did not have to pay. Twice in the 14th century the Poll Tax was levied, 1379 and 1381. It was a tax which was not supported by the general population.

Sir John Froissart in his Chronicles says 'It is customary in England, as well as in several other countries, for the nobility to have great privileges over the commonality; that is to say, the lower orders are bound by law to plough the lands of the gentry, to harvest their grain, to carry it home to the barn, to thrash and winnow it; they are also bound to harvest and carry home the hay. All these services the prelates and gentlemen exact of their inferiors; and in the counties of Kent, Essex, Sussex and Bedford, these services are more oppressive than in other parts of the kingdom.'

'In consequence of this the evil disposed in these districts began to murmur, saying, that in the beginning of the world there were no slaves, and that no one ought to be treated as such, unless he had committed treason against his lord, as Lucifer had done against God; but they had done no such thing, for they were neither angels nor spirits, but men formed after the same likeness as these lords who treated them as beasts. This they would bear no longer; they were determined to be free, and if they laboured or did any work they would be paid for it.'

John Ball a priest from Kent spoke out against this oppression and he was arrested and put into prison for a few months. Some Londoners started to show signs of rebellion and invited those who agreed with them in the surrounding counties to come to London which they would find open to them. ('When Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?')

Wat Tyler (who was said to be a tiler) and his men (probably numbering between 60 and 100,000), many walking great distances to join the mob, revolted over the imposition of the Poll Tax. They travelled via Canterbury, Rochester, Dartford and Blackheath whereupon London Bridge was closed and guarded.

As they approached London they destroyed many houses owned by the wealthy and Marshalsea prison. The guards on the gates on London Bridge were persuaded to open them and the mob attacked the City of London killing, burning and lynching. The citizens had debated whether to lock the gates of the City but decided that the mob would turn upon the people in the suburbs.

This event became known as the Peasant's Revolt. 20,000 men were said to have entered the City of London with Wat Tyler at their head. (Jack Straw lead the men of Essex and Wat Tyler the men of Kent.) They killed every Fleming they could find (says Froissart) and broke into the houses of the Lombards taking whatever money they could. So it seems their complaints were not just against the Poll Tax and villeinage.

The guards on the gates on London Bridge were persuaded to open them and the mob attacked the City of London killing, burning and lynching. The citizens had debated whether to lock the gates of the City but decided that the mob would turn upon the people in the suburbs.

They burnt court rolls which recorded the service due by villeins and murdered lawyers and justices. Froissart makes no mention, it must be added, of one of their own men they punished for stealing, by throwing him into one of the fires.

'Towards evening' (Froissart) 'they fixed their quarters in a square, called St Catherine's, before the Tower'. From there the following morning they shouted that if the king would not come out they would attack the Tower and kill all inside. Richard II, a 15 year old lad, decided he would talk with them and 'sent orders for them to retire to a handsome meadow (or, as it was also described, 'a fine open space which is called Mile End in the midst of an open meadow') at Mile-end, where in the summer time, people go to amuse themselves. Richard said he would meet them there and grant their demands.

As he left the Tower some of the mob took it by force and on finding the Archbishop of Canterbury beheaded him.'

Richard, upon meeting them at Mile End again promised to grant all their demands (a promise which was not kept) and had papers drawn up, which he signed, agreeing to their demands and the mob dispersed.

The three leaders, Wat Tyler, Jack Straw and John Ball along with about 30,000, however were not satisfied and went once more into London and assembled at Smithfield. Here they made it clear that they would pillage the towns which were on their various routes home. Many were still on their way London to join them some from as far as Durham. Richard was passing and attempted to appease the mob. Tyler's arrogance at this point was such that he virtually delivered himself into the hands of those guarding the king and he was were captured and stabbed to death.

All that is left now of the area in Mile End upon which the first meeting took place is Stepney Green Gardens. No doubt some of the inhabitants of Stepney joined the mob. The heads of the leaders were, as was usual in those times, displayed on London Bridge to warn anyone entering the City for a similar purpose.

Richard and his army of 40,000 later passed through Essex and Kent killing hundreds who had taken part. (Froissart says that up to 1,500 were beheaded or hanged.)

Philpot Street is named for Sir John Philpot who was knighted for his bravery during this event.

Villein service, which denoted a tenant of manorial land who was held by agricultural service, died out soon after this. Aliens only were 'poll' (per head) taxed until a general tax was levied in 1513.