BattlefieldsPeasants' Revolt — Norwich Rising (1381)
Medieval

Peasants' Revolt — Norwich Rising (1381)

1381
Norfolk, England
Also known as: Norwich revolt 1381 · Geoffrey Lister's rebellion
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Norfolk, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Rebels (Geoffrey Lister executed)
Forces
Bishop's forces: c.500–1,000 armed men.
VS
Victor
Rebels (temporarily) then Royalists (Bishop of Norwich)
Forces
Rebels: c.4,000–6,000
Outcome
Geoffrey Lister led revolt in Norwich; 'King of the Commons' briefly; Bishop Henry Despenser crushed revolt and executed Lister
The Battle

History & Significance

Geoffrey Lister briefly declared himself 'King of the Commons' during the East Anglian revolt. He occupied Norwich and held mock courts. However, Bishop Henry Despenser of Norwich — a warrior bishop who had served in papal armies in Italy — personally led a cavalry force against the rebels, defeating them in the field and hunting down their leaders. Lister was caught, given extreme unction by Despenser himself, and beheaded. The bishop's crushing of the revolt made him a national figure.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Norfolk

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 Norfolk