1.  starter activity
What makes you angry?

2. Why were the peasants so angry?
 Aims
To understand how the feudal system limited the peasants’ freedom
To understand the causes of the Peasants’ Revolt (1381)

3. So what have they got to be angry about then?
 Your task
Listen to these three peasants and try to work out why they are so angry.
So what have they got to be angry about then?

4. Reasons why the peasants were angry in 1381
Poll tax – rich and poor paid the same
Taxes were increasing – 5X!
Wars with France – expensive, 1000s lost their lives
Statute of Labourers (1351) - limited peasant pay
Work service – limited their freedom

5.  Your task
Read about the events of the Peasants’ Revolt. Copy these names into your exercise books and write a sentence next to them explaining who they were:
Wat Tyler
John Ball
Richard II
John of Gaunt

6.  Your task
Imagine you are a BBC news team reporting on the events so far. You are in London describe what has happened. Interview some of the key players listed above.

7.  Plenary What were some of the causes of the peasants revolt?
Which one made the peasants most angry?
A scene showing peasants at work in the Lutrell Psalter (14th Century)