The Peasants’ Webvolt of 1381. 
By H. Bence,, B.A. 
(Read before the Society, January 15th, 1802.) 
[CONDENSED. | 
this country five hundred years ago was remarkable 
for the variety of causes and popular cries which 
combined to produce it; for the mysterious way in 
which it was organised ; for the extraordinary rapidity with which 
intelligence and communication passed between the different 
parts of the country affected ; for its indirect permanent results ; 
and, when the crisis came, for its sudden collapse. Like other 
revolutions, that which came to a head in 1381 cannot be 
attributed solely to any one cause, or to any sudden outburst of 
popular fury and discontent; it had been in the air for 
generations. True, the immediate causes of the insurrection 
were the growing pressure of taxation—the new poll tax in 
particular—the provoking severity in the collection of taxes, 
added to a strong desire and determination of the peasants, still 
in a state of serfdom, to obtain such a measure of freedom as the 
inhabitants of the towns had for a long time enjoyed. In dealing 
with our subject, however, we must take into account not only 
these, but causes much more remote, but no less important. 
The most prominent feeling pervading all sorts and conditions 
of men at the time with which we have more especially to deal 
was that of general discontent with the existing state of things. 
In the religious world we find the begging friar at enmity with 
the parish priest ; the Lollard disliked and persecuted by both ; 
