‘The Uprising’ Shows How Medieval People Weren’t So Obedient After All
Conor here: The following brief recap of Middle Age popular revolts shows not only how familiar questions about political authority remain today but also the necessity of collective class action. By Joëlle Rollo-Koster, professor emerita of Medieval history, University of Rhode Island. Originally published at The Conversation. For decades, I’ve been showing my medieval history […]
The Uprising, a film that depicts the 1381 Peasants' Revolt in England, challenges the notion that medieval people were docile and obedient. This uprising was sparked by heavy taxes and economic exploitation following the Black Death's labor shortage. After King Edward III imposed a poll tax in 1381, poorer families faced significant financial strain.
In response, crowds attacked tax collectors and formed a larger movement, destroying property and challenging the king. The film highlights the tradition of collective action among ordinary people, with guilds and neighborhood religious groups fostering networks to address shared grievances. The English Peasants' Revolt was not an isolated incident; similar revolts occurred in France, such as the Jacquerie in 1358 and the Ciompi revolt in Florence in 1378, as people sought greater representation and protection from oppressive authorities.
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