Walter "Wat" Tyler Biography

Birth of Walter "Wat" Tyler

Killed by Mayor Walworth while peasant rebels negotiate with Richard II in Mile End

With news of rebellions of the upper 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. The Government resolved on a poll tax of three groats, which outraged the people because it was the same for rich and poor

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

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

The rebels destroy the Savoy palace during subsequent rioting and killed the King's uncle

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

Helps free John Ball & becomes the rebellions leader

Begins the revolt by leading a poll tax attack on Dartford

Leads an attack on Rochester

Tyler is chosen as the rebels leader

Watt Tyler is chosen as the rebel leader

Essex rebels reach the Mile End & Kentish rebels reach Blackheath

Richard II seeks refuge in the Tower. Rbels attack John of Gaunts palace at the Savoy

Unable to cross the River at Greenwich peasants attack St Marys, Southwark

Richard II seeks refuge in the Tower. Rebels attack John of Gaunts palace at the Savoy

Richard II agrees to meet Tyler the following day at Smithfield. Despite the King's promises & the dispersal of the peasants Tyler remains in London

The Lord Mayor of London, William Walworth, draws his sword & slashes the unarmed Wat Tyler

The Lord Mayor of London, William Walworth, draws his sword & slashes the unarmed Wat Tyler. The Lord Mayor of London, William Walworth draws his sword slashes the unarmed Wat Tyler. Stabbed by one of the King's esquires, John Cavendish. Death of Wat Tyler

The head of Wat Tyler replaces that of Sudbury on London Bridge

Demands the end of Lordship, abolition of bishoprics & confiscation of Church land

Confronts Richard II & makes further demands, he is cut down