Richard II became king of England at age 11 and faced many problems, including discontent among the poor who were overtaxed and forced back into serfdom by landlords. In 1381, Wat Tyler led the Peasants' Revolt across eastern England and Kent for four weeks to demand fair treatment and an end to serfdom. Though Richard initially promised to meet their demands, he later refused, saying the peasants would remain serfs.

1. THE LATE MIDDLE AGES:
THE CENTURY OF WAR,
PLAGUE AND DISORDER.
The poor in revolt.

2.  Edward`s grandson (Richard) became king when he was 11.
 He inherited the problems of discontent.
 Others governed for him because he was a child.
 The same year he became king, his advicers introduced a tax payment for every
person over the age of 15.
 The 3rd time the tax was enforced, there was a revolt in east Anglia and in
Kent.
 People had become to be aware and confident of their rights and power.

3.  Also, the landlords tried to force the peasants back into the serfdom.
 Wat Tyler, the leader of the revolt, called for fair treatment of England`s poor
people.
 The revolt lasted 4 weks.
 Tyler was killed and Richard tried to calm the angry crowd by promising to
meet all people`s demands and the end of serfdom.
 But his position changed, he refused to keep his promise. He said: “Serfs you
are and serfs you shall remain” .