Tyler, Wat

Tyler, Wat (died 1381), rebel, b. probably Colchester, Essex, England.

Walter Tyler, known as 'Wat', was the leader of a band of men from Kent in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381.

The peasants were protesting against a new tax of one shilling to be paid by every adult, rich or poor.

The men of Kent marched to London and there destroyed the palace of John of Gaunt and the Temple. The Temple was the headquarters of the lawyers of England.

The peasants hated the lawyers and killed some of them along with tax-collectors, supporters of John of Gaunt and over 100 foreign workers whom they looked upon as their enemies. Peasants from other counties arrived in London, and King Richard II, at this time fourteen years old, rode out to meet the rebels at Mile End. He listened to their complaints and gave Wat Tyler certain promises.

Next day, he met Tyler again at Smithfield. There William Walworth, the Lord Mayor of London, suddenly struck Tyler with a sword and he fell wounded.

Without their leader, the peasants lost their courage and went home. Walworth later found Tyler in St. Bartholomew's hospital and he dragged him out and cut off his head.

See A March on London: Being a Story of Wat Tyler's Insurrection ~ George Alfred Henty