Conflict and Upheaval: England, 1337-1381
A study in depth of England between 1337 and 1381, focusing on the political, social, and economic issues of the period, including the Hundred Years' War, the Black Death, and the Peasants' Revolt.
Topic Overview
Conflict and Upheaval: England, 1337-1381 covers a period of dramatic change, from the start of the Hundred Years' War to the Peasants' Revolt. You'll explore how war, plague, and social unrest transformed English society. The Hundred Years' War against France drained resources and created new military heroes like Edward the Black Prince, while the Black Death (1348-1349) wiped out a third of the population, leading to labour shortages and rising wages. These changes upset the traditional feudal order and set the stage for the Peasants' Revolt in 1381, when ordinary people demanded an end to serfdom and unfair taxes.
This topic is crucial because it shows how medieval England was not static but dynamic, with ordinary people challenging authority. You'll examine key figures like King Edward III, Richard II, John of Gaunt, and rebel leaders Wat Tyler and John Ball. The period also saw the development of Parliament, as kings needed to raise taxes for war, and the Church faced criticism from figures like John Wycliffe. Understanding these events helps explain the decline of feudalism and the rise of a more modern society.
In the WJEC GCSE, you'll need to analyse causes, events, and consequences. You'll use sources like the Anonimalle Chronicle and the Statute of Labourers to understand different perspectives. The exam will test your ability to explain why things happened (e.g., why the Peasants' Revolt broke out) and to evaluate significance (e.g., how far did the revolt change society?). Mastering this topic gives you a strong foundation for understanding later periods of English history.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Feudalism: The social hierarchy where the king owned all land, granted it to nobles in return for military service, and peasants (villeins) worked the land in exchange for protection. This system was strained by the Black Death and the Peasants' Revolt.
- →The Black Death (1348-1349): A bubonic plague pandemic that killed around one-third of England's population. It led to labour shortages, higher wages for peasants, and the Statute of Labourers (1351) which tried to cap wages, causing resentment.
- →The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453): A series of conflicts between England and France over territory and the French throne. Key battles include Crécy (1346) and Poitiers (1356), where English longbowmen proved decisive. The war required heavy taxation, which fuelled discontent.
- →The Peasants' Revolt (1381): A major uprising across England, triggered by the poll tax (a flat tax per person), unpopular officials, and demands for freedom. Led by Wat Tyler and John Ball, rebels marched on London, but the revolt collapsed after Tyler's death and Richard II's promises (later broken).
- →The Role of the Church: The Church was powerful and wealthy, but criticised by John Wycliffe, who argued for a simpler faith and translated the Bible into English. Lollards (his followers) challenged Church authority, linking to wider demands for reform.
What You Need to Demonstrate
Key skills and knowledge for this topic
- Characteristics of 14th-century English society (church, wool trade, women, social hierarchy).
- Causes of the Hundred Years' War (overseas possessions, relations with France/Scotland, Edward III's claims).
- Course of the Hundred Years' War (alliances, tactics like long-bows and chevauchees, key battles, Treaty of Bretigny).
- Short-term impact of the Black Death (arrival, spread, contemporary views).
- Long-term consequences of the Black Death (labour shortages, Statute of Labourers, wage/rent changes, art and medicine).
- Causes of the Peasants' Revolt (serfdom, religious ideas, John Ball, French Wars, Poll Tax, Wat Tyler).
- Significance of the Peasants' Revolt (Richard II's promises, wage control, decline of serfdom, impact on the Hundred Years' War).
Marking Points
Key points examiners look for in your answers
- Characteristics of 14th-century English society (church, wool trade, women, social hierarchy).
- Causes of the Hundred Years' War (overseas possessions, relations with France/Scotland, Edward III's claims).
- Course of the Hundred Years' War (alliances, tactics like long-bows and chevauchees, key battles, Treaty of Bretigny).
- Short-term impact of the Black Death (arrival, spread, contemporary views).
- Long-term consequences of the Black Death (labour shortages, Statute of Labourers, wage/rent changes, art and medicine).
- Causes of the Peasants' Revolt (serfdom, religious ideas, John Ball, French Wars, Poll Tax, Wat Tyler).
- Significance of the Peasants' Revolt (Richard II's promises, wage control, decline of serfdom, impact on the Hundred Years' War).
Examiner Tips
Expert advice for maximising your marks
- 💡Develop an awareness of how these issues have been represented and interpreted.
- 💡Use a range of historical sources to address key questions.
- 💡Focus on the complexity of the society and historical situation.
- 💡Demonstrate chronological grasp and the ability to explain consequences.
- 💡Use specific evidence: When explaining causes or consequences, always include precise details like dates, names, and events. For example, instead of saying 'taxes caused the revolt', say 'the poll tax of 1381, which was three times higher than previous taxes, sparked outrage in Essex and Kent.'
- 💡Analyse sources critically: In source questions, don't just describe what the source says. Consider its provenance (who wrote it, when, why) and how reliable it is. For example, the Anonimalle Chronicle was written by a monk who was hostile to the rebels, so it may exaggerate their violence.
- 💡Link events to the big picture: Show how events connect. For instance, explain how the Black Death led to labour shortages, which led to the Statute of Labourers, which caused peasant resentment, which contributed to the Peasants' Revolt. This demonstrates a chain of causation.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers
- Misconception: The Peasants' Revolt was a single, unified rebellion. Correction: It was a series of local uprisings across England, with different grievances. The Kent and Essex rebels marched on London, but other areas had their own protests.
- Misconception: The Black Death ended feudalism immediately. Correction: Feudalism declined gradually. The Black Death created labour shortages and higher wages, but landlords fought back with laws like the Statute of Labourers. The Peasants' Revolt was a key moment, but serfdom persisted for another century.
- Misconception: The Hundred Years' War was a continuous conflict. Correction: It was a series of campaigns with long truces. For example, after the Treaty of Brétigny (1360), there was peace until 1369. The war also had phases where England was winning (e.g., Crécy, Poitiers) and later losing ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Medieval Society and Feudalism: Understanding the basic structure of medieval society (king, nobles, knights, peasants) and how the feudal system worked is essential before studying this period.
- •The Role of the Church in Medieval England: Knowing that the Church was a major landowner and political force helps explain the significance of Wycliffe and the Church's role in the revolt.
- •Basic Knowledge of the Hundred Years' War: Familiarity with the war's causes (English claims to the French throne) and key battles provides context for the financial pressures on England.
Likely Command Words
How questions on this topic are typically asked
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