Wat Tyler

Wat Tyler's Death

Walter Tyler, commonly known as Wat Tyler (died June 15, 1381) was the leader of the English Peasants' Revolt (1381) also known as Tyler's insurrection. He has been describe as the hero of nine days, referring to the length of the uprising. Social unrest in the wake of the Black Death encouraged peasants in various parts of Europe to rebel against the fuedal system. Religious teaching associated with such figures as John Wycliffe and John Ball stressing indiviudal worth and inner-renewal combined with the equalizing lesson of the Plague, from which nobility of birth was no protection, to inform new notions about social and political organization. An immediate incentive to rebel was the imposotion of a new tax to finance the King's wars in France, which were his personal project and did nothing to benefit the population, who had no interest in these endeavors. Beginning in Canterbury under Tyler's leadership, the rebellion spread to London where it was crushed, and Tyler killed.

The year 1320 was six years after the Battle of Bannockburn and the thirteenth year of the reign of King Edward II. In this year the wife of Walter Hilliard, a roof tiler of the small village of Broxley, in Kent, gave birth to a son. The details of his early life are very limited and he is known to history mostly through the records of his enemies. Historians do believe he was born in Essex, but they are not sure when and it is unclear when he crossed the Thames Estuary to Kent where he would lead the revolt.

From Life and Adventures of Wat Tyler, the Brave and Good, published in 1851, historians have reconstructed his youth, prior to his appearance as a historical figure. An early event is detailed in this history. With the help of fellow-villagers, Tyler routed out a nest of robbers which had plagued his neighborhood . Following a failed romance Tyler joined the English army which was then preparing to leave for France. He was present at the Battle of Crécy where Edward appointed him to assist the courageous Black Prince. He was cited for his bravery in the Battle of Poitiers and a number of naval engagements with Spain and France. Tyler returned to Broxley, married, and became the village smith. He settled down with the intention of spending the remainder of his life in an undistinguished fashion.

The English readied for an insurrection with news of rebellions of the lower classes in France and Flanders. The medieval historian Jean Froissart describes John Ball as an insane priest. This religious figure preached to the peasantry that they should resist by force any additional oppression by the state. An incident at this time incited the common folk to demand the abolition of current laws as well.

Specifically, the death of Edward III resulted in his eleven-year-old grandson, Richard II, coming to the throne. As a minor, the Dukes of Lancaster, York, and Gloucester governed in his name. There were several unsuccessful expeditions against France which added to the burden of the English working class. The government resolved on a poll tax of three groats which outraged the people.

Reacting to the poll tax Tyler led rebels in the taking of Canterbury before heading to Blackheath outside London. The rebels then invaded the city resulting in the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Simon Sudbury. King Richard II met the rebel army at Mile End, and promised to address the peasants' grievances, which included the imposition of unpopular taxes.

William Walworth (bottom left), kills Wat Tyler, at London Bridge.

Twenty thousand people assembled at Smithfield. Richard II met them there. Wat Tyler decided to go and speak to the King and went alone. "King," said he, "do you see these men?" "Yes; what dost thou ask?" was the reply. "And thinkest thou, King, that these people, and as many as are in the city under my command ought to go without having had thy letters? Oh! no, we will carry them with us." Wat gesticulated frantically. At this time the Mayor of London came forward and addressed him. "Scoundrel! how dare thou thus behave in the presence of the King, and utter such words? It is too impudent for such as thou." "Lay hands on him," said the King. "Hey, in God's name," replied Wat to the Mayor, "what I have said does it concern thee? What dost thou mean?" "Truly," answered the coward, who finding himself supported by Richard, grew bold, "does it become such a slinking rascal as thou art, to use such speech in the presence of the King, thy natural lord? I will not live a day if thou pay not for it." The Mayor quickly drew his sword, and slashed the unarmed Wat Tyler to the ground. In the next instant, the body was stabbed by one of the King's squires - John Standwich.

The rebellion ended shortly after Tyler's death. His name, however, served to become a watchword and a rallying cry during public demonstrations and rebellions throughout the later medieval period.

A red dagger symbol seen in the coat of arms of the City of London and the Corporation of London is believed to represent the dagger of the Lord Mayor and thus celebrate the killing of Tyler. However it is likely that the symbol actually represents the martyrdom of St Paul, London's patron saint.

There is now a country park next to the Thames Estuary in Basildon, Essex, named after him, Wat Tyler Country Park. There is also a public house in Dartford, Kent named the Wat Tyler, reputed to have been used by the eponymous rebel when the peasant army camped on East Hill, Dartford en route to Blackheath. There is also a road in Maidstone named Wat Tyler Way.

External links

• Wat Tyler on historyguide.org - a description, from a chronicle of the time, which relates the final meeting between Wat Tyler and King Richard II.
• EASF radical history wiki An East Anglia-specific look at the rebellion

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Dunn, Alastair The great rising of 1381 : the peasant’s revolt and England’s failed revolution, Stroud, Gloucestershire; Charleston, SC: Tempus, 2002 ISBN 0752423231
• Fryde, E. B The Great Revolt of 1381, London : Historical Association, 1981 ISBN 085278239X
• Froissart, Jean, Froissart's Chronicles, London: Harvill Press, 1967
• Hilton, R. H and Aston, T. H (eds) The English rising of 1381, Cambridge University Press, 1984 ISBN 0521267439
• Life and Adventures of Wat Tyler, the Brave and Good", London: Collins Publishing, 1851.
• New York Daily Times, Historical, Biography of Wat Tyler, October 28, 1852, Page 3.

See Also

[[Peasants' Revolt {1381}]]

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