A Peasants' Revolt
We pick the grapes but who drinks the wine?
When Adam delved and Eve span, Who was then the gentleman? From the beginning all men by nature were created alike, and our bondage or servitude came in by the unjust oppression of naughty men. For if God would have had any bondmen from the beginning, he would have appointed who should be bond, and who free. And therefore I exhort you to consider that now the time is come, appointed to us by God, in which ye may ( if ye will ) cast off the yoke of bondage, and recover liberty. Reverend John Ball, 1381. At the dawn of the peasant’s revolt.
History is important. It can shine a spotlight onto the present and let some light into why things are as they are, happen as they do. The struggles, the victories, the passions, the injustices are all the same. Just the clothing of the time is different.
One such moment of history that I think is important to look at given what is happening in the world currently is the 1381 Peasant Revolt in England.
Like today, it came at a time of growing inequality between the moneyed, the free, and the landless, enslaved serfs. Like today, it came at a time after a pandemic, a terrible pandemic - The Black Death. Peasants sought to better their life, their labor was in demand - the barons, the lords, the merchants wouldn’t budge and give them more freedom nor wages. Then came an imposed poll tax to fight a stupid war with France - the straw that broke that camel’s back. The peasants refused to pay a dime more. They strung up those that tried to collect for the king and they forthwith marched, furious, on London.
So many characters - notably Wat Tyler. They wanted freedom, change, justice, equality. Remove the falsely entitled royalty. Pay a good wage. Allow freedom of movement. Make the church one of the people, not jewels and pageantry.
Unfortunately, as so often happens, the rich got their way after a big scare and after manipulating the narrative. Basically with lies. But the moments of freedom and possibility remain in the history and events of 1381, for us to take hope from. The hope that those who do the work are those that make the gain. If you pick the grapes, you can drink the wine.
This video documents the main events of the Peasant’s Revolt. A great watch where as always Anthony Hopkins shines as Wat Tyler. I hope some readers will review the events of 1381, Kent, Essex, London and see its lessons for us today.
Who will be today’s Wat Tyler?
Shadow Work
— to that other half, my “bene” factor
The shoes you wear for half a year
I’ll wear for 6 or more.
The shirt you wear this season
I’ll wear a lifetime long.
The music you listen to until the next big thing
I’ll dance to every day.
The drinks you sip at and never finish
I’ll to the bottom and quick.
The crusts of bread you leave at the side of your plate
I’ll live off of — better I’ve never ate!
The broad smile you flash infrequently
I’ll wear a lifetime long.
The thoughts so strong and sure, you think
I’ll in weakness push them to the brink.
The life you live like a tailored suit
I’ll live in spirit, a forever bearing fruit.