The black deaths and peasant revolts represent a significant historical period where peasants revolted against their rulers in medieval Europe. In Europe in the 14th century, the effects of the Black Death significantly affected society’s social, political, and economic facets. The population decline had numerous effects, including labor shortages and an uptick in the economy. As the peasants revolted against the leadership, they contributed to the end of the feudal order and the manufactured animosity toward religions, an attitude that had been perpetuated for years.
The priest John Ball (d. 1381) is best known for playing a crucial part in the English upheavals of 1381. According to the Anomallie Chronicle, Ball’s preaching was a crucial component of the rebels’ ideology. In critical scholarship, it has been called “millenarian,” “apocalyptic,” or “eschatological” in the context that he and his followers anticipated impending and dramatic sociopolitical upheaval. In his speech, he urged followers to be men of courage and stand against injustice.
The records by Sir John Froissart indicated that the uprising endured just under a month and was a total failure on the social change front. King Richard quickly abandoned his commitments at Mile End and Smithfield, and manorial anger continued to manifest in neighborhood disturbances. However, as it stopped the poll tax from being collected further, the insurrection was successful as a demonstration against the exploitation of the lower classes. In essence, the black deaths and the peasant uprisings were based on sociopolitical and economic changes that needed to be effected for justice and equality among the peasants. The decline of the feudal order and religious freedom are notable effects that shaped society after that.