Wat Tyler
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Walter Tyler, commonly known as Wat Tyler (January 4, 1341 – June 15, 1381) was the leader of the English Peasants' Revolt of 1381.
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[edit] Early life
Knowledge of Tyler's early life is very limited, and derives mostly through the records of his enemies. Historians believe he was born in Essex, but are not sure why he crossed the Thames Estuary to Kent, whence he led the revolt.
(See also: Fobbing and Wat Tyler country park, Pitsea)
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. The reconstruction is based solely on speculation and assumptions, as minimal primary documentation exists relating to Tyler outside the rebellion. For instance, one story states that, with the help of fellow villagers, Tyler routed out a nest of robbers which had plagued his neighbourhood. 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 famous 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 Boxley, married, and became the village blacksmith. He settled down with the intention of spending the remainder of his life in an undistinguished fashion.
[edit] The Peasants' Revolt
With news of rebellions of the lower classes in France and Flanders, the English readied for an insurrection. John Ball, Jack Straw and others advocated for the destruction of the hierarchical feudal system. Ball, like Tyler, held egalitarian values, though the medieval historian Jean Froissart describes Ball as insane. Other contemporaries suggest that he was involved with the Lollard movement. Such harsh, often unfounded attitudes toward the rebels are common among chroniclers as they belonged to the educated upper classes, usually the targets of rebellion and not supporters of it. Thus, it is difficult to get an accurate sense of the actual aims and goals of rebels as their side of the story is not represented in historical accounts.
Richard II ascended to power after the death of Edward III; he was only 14 at the time of the rebellion. Since he was a minor, the Dukes of Lancaster, York, and Gloucester governed in his name. These officials were the main targets of the rebels, who held that they were traitors to the king and undermined his authority. Several unsuccessful expeditions against France added to the burden on the English working class. The government resolved on a poll tax of three groats, which outraged the people.
Reacting to the introduction of the oppressive poll tax, which the king had imposed because not enough income had been collected the previous year, Tyler led a force of peasants in taking Canterbury, before advancing on to Blackheath, outside London. Tyler then entered the city of London at the head of a peasant army estimated at numbering over 50,000 men. After crossing London Bridge without resistance, the rebels then gained entry to the Tower of London and captured Simon Sudbury, the unpopular Archbishop of Canterbury, before proceeding to behead him and several of his followers. The rebels also destroyed the Savoy palace during subsequent rioting and killed the king's uncle. Richard of Wallingford presented a charter to King Richard II on behalf of Tyler. The king met the rebel army at Mile End and promised to address the peasants' grievances, which included the unpopular taxes.
Twenty thousand people assembled at Smithfield. Richard II, who was 15 years old at the time, agreed to meet the leaders of the revolt, and listen to their demands. Wat Tyler decided to ride out alone and parlay with the King. What was said between Wat Tyler and the King is largely conjecture and little is known of the exact details of the encounter; however, according to one popular account it would appear that the Lord Mayor of London, Sir William Walworth, took exception to Wat's attitude, because 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 esquires, Ralph de Standish. Whether Tyler died here or later at St. Bartholomew's hospital is unknown as is the exact nature and extent of his injuries. Immediately, the King declared that he was now the leader of the rebels and told them to return to their homes, promising them charters of freedom. He broke his promise of freedom, however, and had the rebel leaders rounded up and killed.
The rebellion ended shortly after Tyler's death, and had little to do with the disappearance of serfdom. Wat Tyler's name, however, served to become a watchword and a rallying cry during public demonstrations and rebellions throughout the later medieval period.
[edit] Consequences of the Revolt
A red dagger symbol seen in the coat of arms of the City of London and the City of London Corporation is believed by some to represent the dagger of the Lord Mayor and thus celebrate the killing of Tyler. It is more likely, however, to represent 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, and one on the western edge of Blackheath called Wat Tyler Road.
[edit] In modern popular culture
- In "Tyler Smiles" by Attila the Stockbroker, on the (Australian) CD 668: Neighbour of the Beast, the English songwriter ironically compares Tyler's rebellion with the uprising against Margaret Thatcher's poll tax — which significantly contributed to the defeat of the Conservative Party after a decade of rule.
- In the episode "Potato", in the second series of television programme Blackadder, set in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I; when Baldrick asks if he can have the afternoon off, he is answered by his master Lord Blackadder: Of course not! Who do you think you are? Wat Tyler?... You can have the afternoon off when you die.
- The story of the revolt appears as a track on folk rock band Fairport Convention's 1985 Album Gladys' Leap.
[edit] References
- Froissart, Jean, Froissart's Chronicles, New York, J. Winchester, pp. 283–290.
- Life and Adventures of Wat Tyler, the Brave and Good", London, Collins Publishing, 1851.
- "Historical, Biography of Wat Tyler", New York Daily Times, October 28, 1852, page 3.
- Hanawalt, Barbara A. The Middle Ages, New York, Oxford University Press, 1998, page 139.
[edit] 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
