BattlefieldsPeasants' Revolt — Smithfield Confrontation (1381)
Medieval

Peasants' Revolt — Smithfield Confrontation (1381)

1381
Middlesex, England
Also known as: Death of Wat Tyler Smithfield 1381 · Smithfield 1381
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Middlesex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Rebels (Wat Tyler)
Forces
Rebels: c.10,000–15,000.
VS
Victor
Royalists (Richard II / William Walworth)
Forces
Royalists: c.1,500–2,000 (Richard II's guard + City militia)
Outcome
Wat Tyler stabbed by Lord Mayor Walworth; Richard II personally confronted rebels; revolt collapsed
The Battle

History & Significance

At Smithfield, Wat Tyler rode forward to parley with Richard II and was stabbed by the Lord Mayor of London, William Walworth. Richard II famously rode toward the remaining rebel army saying 'I will be your captain' — his courage or rashness kept the rebels from attacking. Tyler was dragged from Smithfield to St Bartholomew's Hospital and beheaded. The death of Tyler effectively ended the rebellion; the royal promises were quickly revoked.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Middlesex

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Middlesex