Editing Peasants' Revolt (section)

===Overview===
The final trigger for the revolt was the intervention of a royal official, John Bampton, in [[Essex]] on 30 May 1381. His attempts to collect unpaid [[poll taxes]] in [[Brentwood, Essex|Brentwood]] ended in a violent confrontation, which rapidly spread across the southeast of the country. A wide spectrum of rural society, including many local artisans and village officials, rose up in protest, burning court records and opening the local prisons. The rebels sought a reduction in taxation, an end to [[serfdom]], and the removal of King [[Richard II]]'s senior officials and law courts.

Inspired by the sermons of the radical cleric [[John Ball (priest)|John Ball]] and led by [[Wat Tyler]], a contingent of [[Kent]]ish rebels advanced on London. They were met at [[Blackheath, London|Blackheath]] by representatives of the royal government, who unsuccessfully attempted to persuade them to return home. King Richard, then aged 14, retreated to the safety of the [[Tower of London]], but most of the royal forces were abroad or in northern England. On 13 June, the rebels entered London and, joined by many local townsfolk, attacked the prisons, destroyed the [[Savoy Palace]], set fire to law books and buildings in [[Temple, London|the Temple]], and killed anyone associated with the royal government. The following day, Richard met the rebels at [[Mile End]] and agreed to most of their demands, including the abolition of serfdom. Meanwhile, rebels entered the Tower of London, killing [[Simon Sudbury]], [[Lord Chancellor]], and [[Robert Hales (knight)|Robert Hales]], [[Lord High Treasurer]], whom they found inside.

On 15 June, Richard left the city to meet Tyler and the rebels at [[Smithfield, London|Smithfield]]. Violence broke out, and Richard's party killed Tyler. Richard defused the tense situation long enough for London's mayor, [[William Walworth]], to gather a militia from the city and disperse the rebel forces. Richard immediately began to re-establish order in London and rescinded his previous grants to the rebels. The revolt had also spread into [[East Anglia]], where the [[University of Cambridge]] was attacked and many royal officials were killed. Unrest continued until the intervention of [[Henry Despenser]], who defeated a rebel army at the [[Battle of North Walsham]] on 25 or 26 June. Troubles extended north to [[York]], [[Beverley]], and [[Scarborough, North Yorkshire|Scarborough]], and as far west as [[Bridgwater]] in [[Somerset]]. Richard mobilised 4,000 soldiers to restore order. Most of the rebel leaders were tracked down and executed; by November, at least 1,500 rebels had been killed.