Examples of taxes, resulting revolutions/rebellions and their outcomes throughout English history

It has happened before and what we are seeing today could lead us down a similar path moving forwards

This article will look at snapshots in UK history (from 1000AD) where some form of monarch and/or parliament has imposed taxes which have then resulted in some form of revolution or war. Examples also include the reverse i.e England at war and taxes raised in order to help support that war.

I’m a keen student of history and this article is new for this channel. Hopefully it shows that by learning from history that we can see what might happen moving forwards.

These examples are also in chronological order:

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The Norman Yoke and Early Taxation Unrest (11th + 12th Century)

Background

After the Norman Conquest (1066), William the Conqueror introduced the Danegeld. The Danegeld was a form of land tax originally levied to fund general defense against Viking raids. This tax became a symbol of Norman oppression and was bitterly disliked by the masses.

Revolution

There was widespread resistance to the Norman rule. This resulted in a multitude of localised uprisings amongst the masses i.e. Churches burned, people of hierarchy killed etc

Outcome

Unfortunately William the Conqueror et al responded with what we call the Harrying of the North (1069 - 1070), which left the lands barron and no one alive to look after the lands. This Harrying set the North back multiple decades. It was a set of uprisings that were brutally put down.

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The Peasants' Revolt (1381)

Background

The introduction of the Poll Tax (1377, 1379 + 1380) under Richard II aimed to fund military campaigns during the Hundred Years’ War (which ironically went on to last 116 years).

The tax was regressive and disproportionately affected the poor. There were a lot of issues with how aggressively the taxes were collected by tax enforcers. This just added salt into the wounds for the poor.

Revolution

A major uprising broke out in 1381. These were headed by Wat Tyler and John Ball. The revolt saw thousands march on London and a general rebellion against tax collectors and enforcers.

Symbols of authority were attacked, most notably the Tower of London, yet the general concensus is that there were not any issues with Richard II himself but instead his regency council and mainly John of Gaunt.

Outcome

Wat Tyler met King Richard II but got a bit cocky with the way he acted (according to historical records) and this led to a skirmish in which Wat Tyler was mortally wounded. The promises that the King had initially made were then renegaded upon.

That being said, the Poll Tax was abandoned, and it marked the beginning of the end for serfdom in England.