Editing Richard II of England (section)

=== Peasants' Revolt ===
[[File:Death of Wat Tyler Froissart.jpg|thumb|right|Richard II watches [[Wat Tyler]]'s death and addresses the peasants in the background: taken from the [[Froissart of Louis of Gruuthuse (BnF Fr 2643-6)|Gruuthuse manuscript]] of [[Froissart]]'s ''Chroniques'' (c.&nbsp;1475)]]

Whereas the poll tax of 1381 was the spark of the [[Peasants' Revolt]], the root of the conflict lay in tensions between peasants and landowners precipitated by the economic and demographic consequences of the [[Black Death in England|Black Death]] and [[Second plague pandemic|subsequent outbreaks]] of the plague.<ref name="Tuck"/> The rebellion started in [[Kent]] and [[Essex]] in late May, and on 12 June, bands of peasants gathered at [[Blackheath, London|Blackheath]] near London under the leaders [[Wat Tyler]], [[John Ball (priest)|John Ball]], and [[Jack Straw (rebel leader)|Jack Straw]]. John of Gaunt's [[Savoy Palace]] was burnt down. The [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], [[Simon Sudbury]], who was also [[Lord Chancellor]], and [[Lord High Treasurer]] [[Robert Hales (knight)|Robert Hales]] were both killed by the rebels,<ref>Harriss (2005), pp.&nbsp;230–231.</ref> who were demanding the complete abolition of [[serfdom]].<ref name="H231">Harriss (2005), p.&nbsp;231.</ref> The King, sheltered within the [[Tower of London]] with his councillors, agreed that the Crown did not have the forces to disperse the rebels and that the only feasible option was to negotiate.<ref>Saul (1997), p.&nbsp;67.</ref>

It is unclear how much Richard, who was still only fourteen years old, was involved in these deliberations, although historians have suggested that he was among the proponents of negotiations.<ref name="Tuck"/> The King set out by the [[River Thames]] on 13 June, but the large number of people thronging the banks at [[Greenwich]] made it impossible for him to land, forcing him to return to the Tower.<ref>McKisack (1959), p.&nbsp;409.</ref> The next day, Friday, 14 June, he set out by horse and met the rebels at [[Mile End]].<ref>Saul (1997), p.&nbsp;68.</ref> He agreed to the rebels' demands, but this move only emboldened them; they continued their looting and killings.<ref>Saul (1997), pp.&nbsp;68–70.</ref> Richard met Wat Tyler again the next day at [[Smithfield, London|Smithfield]] and reiterated that the demands would be met, but the rebel leader was not convinced of the King's sincerity. The King's men grew restive, an altercation broke out, and [[William Walworth]], the [[Lord Mayor of London]], pulled Tyler down from his horse and killed him.<ref>Saul (1997), pp.&nbsp;70–71.</ref> The situation became tense once the rebels realised what had happened, but the King acted with calm resolve and, saying "I am your captain, follow me!", he led the mob away from the scene.{{Efn|It has been speculated that the whole incident surrounding the killing of Wat Tyler was in fact planned in advance by the council, in order to end the rebellion.<ref name="Tuck"/><ref>Saul (1997), pp.&nbsp;71–72.</ref>}} Walworth meanwhile gathered a force to surround the peasant army, but the King granted clemency and allowed the rebels to disperse and return to their homes.<ref>McKisack (1959), pp.&nbsp;413–414.</ref>

The King soon revoked the charters of freedom and pardon that he had granted, and as disturbances continued in other parts of the country, he personally went into Essex to suppress the rebellion. On 28 June at [[Billericay]], he defeated the last rebels in a small skirmish and effectively ended the Peasants' Revolt.<ref name="H231"/> In the following days rebel leaders, such as John Ball, were hunted down and executed. Despite his young age, Richard had shown great courage and determination in his handling of the rebellion. It is likely, though, that the events impressed upon him the dangers of disobedience and threats to royal authority, and helped shape the [[Absolute monarchy|absolutist]] attitudes to kingship that would later prove fatal to his reign.<ref name="Tuck"/>