REVOLT INTERPRETATIONS

THE PEASANTS’ REVOLT: 

THE PEASANTS’ REVOLT INTERPRETATIONS

CAUSES OF THE REVOLT: 

CAUSES OF THE REVOLT How many can you remember from last lesson?

Slide3: 

Causes of the Revolt Wages being kept down The gap between the rich and the poor Poll Tax Services to the Nobles Bad Government

DIFFERENT VIEWS: 

DIFFERENT VIEWS Historians who look at the same piece of evidence can have different opinions. Some historians think that Richard II acted courageously to end the Revolt. Others think that he cowardly betrayed his own people. By the end of today’s lesson you will have your own opinion… Let’s look at the most famous source – and the one that has helped to cause such different opinions!

OUR SOURCE: 

OUR SOURCE Look at the following picture carefully – it shows the most important event of the Revolt: the death of Wat Tyler. Richard II is shown twice. On the left hand side he is seen raising his hand as Wat Tyler is struck down. On the right he is seen speaking to the rebels. Look at page 142 if you need a closer look!

Slide6: 

Wat Tyler Richard II

THE TWO VIEWS: 

THE TWO VIEWS COWARD Richard was involved in a plot to kill Tyler, knowing that this would end the Revolt. Tyler was killed for no reason. Many of the rebels, including John Ball, were tricked by Richard and later killed. HERO Wat Tyler was killed after he attacked the Mayor of London. The young King calmly approached the rebels and ordered them to obey him. This meant that there was no more bloodshed and murder in London.

WHICH VERSION IS RIGHT?: 

WHICH VERSION IS RIGHT? You will need to examine the evidence to decide which version you agree with. You will need to pick the evidence that backs up your point of view. Some of the evidence was written at the time of the Revolt and some of it has been written afterwards. The evidence is in the sources on page 143.

YOUR FIRST TASK: 

YOUR FIRST TASK Draw out a table like the one here. Read each source and decide if it shows Richard to be a coward or a hero. Put the source number in the relevant column.

YOUR SECOND TASK: 

YOUR SECOND TASK You should use the information in your table and in the textbook to answer the following question: WAS RICHARD II A HERO OR A VILLAIN DURING THE PEASANTS’ REVOLT?