Abstract
Rebellions, riots and civil disturbances of all sorts hold a particular fascination for historians. The collapse of normal social disciplines and restraints is held to reveal tensions and conflicts embedded but concealed within the workings of everyday society. The origins of a rising such as the 1381 English Peasant’s Revolt may perhaps be traced deep within society, both in social or economic terms but also chronologically. The fact that such tensions exist—and are perhaps normal—does not make conflict inevitable. This chapter illustrates the sheer scale and breadth of social revolt in the medieval period—especially between 1300 and 1500. It also challenges the evidence of the chronicles which tend to emphasise their failure and immorality, whereas detailed research of the results of these clashes points to a pattern of largely successful conflict resolution for the combatants.
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Clement, M. (2016). Medieval Riots. In: A People’s History of Riots, Protest and the Law. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52751-6_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52751-6_3
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