BattlefieldsPeasants' Revolt — Cambridge Rising (1381)
Medieval

Peasants' Revolt — Cambridge Rising (1381)

1381
Cambridgeshire, England
Also known as: Cambridge university attacked 1381 · Townsmen versus scholars 1381
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Cambridgeshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
University and clergy
Forces
University/clergy: c.200–500 armed defenders.
VS
Victor
Rebels (temporarily)
Forces
Rebels: c.2,000–4,000 peasants/townsmen
Outcome
University charters burned; Corpus Christi College attacked; privileges temporarily abolished; suppressed after Tyler's death
The Battle

History & Significance

The Cambridge rising in 1381 combined peasant grievances with deep townsman resentment of university privilege. Rebels forced the University to surrender its charters and privileges; Corpus Christi College was particularly targeted. The town had long chafed under university jurisdiction and saw the revolt as an opportunity to settle old scores. The restoration of order after Wat Tyler's death reversed all concessions.

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