Economic Dislocation and Social Upheaval
The Black Death brought death and panic with it, but it also caused a widespread destruction to European economics and social order. As the economy took a turn for the worst the three classes of people in Europe the clergy, the nobles and the laborers (peasants) were upset and riots and uprisings occurred.
Noble Landlords and Peasants
The riots in the 14th century were due to one outstanding factor, that of money. After the extreme levels of death the nobles were left with a shortage of manpower and were therefore forced to pay greater wages for less work in order to procure the only available laborers. The death toll also created a smaller demand for produce which in turn forced the nobles to sell at lower prices. The combination of higher wages and lower prices place the nobles in a bind, so as a solution they lowered wages altogether. To in force the lowering of wages English Parliament passed the Statute of Laborers Law in 1351 which placed a cap on the maximum wage and limited the mobility of peasants. This created an environment in which the peasants had to work for whoever payed the best in their own town and if the local nobles didn't pay well they couldn't leave to find better offers. It was in this way that the nobles were able to regain some financial stability, though their position as nobles seemed lesser than it was and the position of the peasants seemed greater.
The peasants in Europe took advantage of this time of noble weakness to further their own status, but faced problems such as the current lords and nobles did and also were being suppressed by the selfishness of the rich as they attempted to keep the poor from becoming rich. This poor treatment of the peasants quickly resulted in rural riots, revolts and uprisings.
The peasants in Europe took advantage of this time of noble weakness to further their own status, but faced problems such as the current lords and nobles did and also were being suppressed by the selfishness of the rich as they attempted to keep the poor from becoming rich. This poor treatment of the peasants quickly resulted in rural riots, revolts and uprisings.
Peasant Revolt in France
Because of the psychological and economical downfall in France the revolt known as the Jacquerie was formed in 1358 and the anger of the peasants was seen. They burned castles and killed nobles in a savage attempt to make a point. The revolt was quickly countered by the lords however and was abruptly crushed as they formed armies and slaughtered the peasants.
An English Peasant Revolt
The revolt in England was not caused by panic over psychological problems, but it was due to money. The poor were receiving better wages, lower taxes and product prices and were enjoying greater freedom overall. To reinstate their own financial wealth the nobles passed laws that taxed every adult Englishman. This sparked fury with the people. The revolt caught on fast. Like that of France the revolt destroyed castles and killed many nobles and important officials including the Archbishop of Canterbury. The 15 year old king, however, was the one to crush the revolt with the help of the rich. After the rebels reached London the king, Richard II, decided to accept all of the rebels' demands and peacefully sent them back home. After doing so he ordered the leaders of the revolt to be arrested and the tax to be lifted. The revolt was crushed the people were happy enough and most of the rioters were pardoned.
Revolts in the Cities
As another result of the Black Death the cities industrial side of Europe suffered greatly. They weren't able to produce as many goods as more and more of their trade routes were cut due to loss of man power. In turn the industries decided to cover their bases and ignore the common wealth to completely supply the rich. Many industrial riots took place throughout Europe, but one of the most prominent was that of the ciompi in Florence. Though some of the industrial revolts ended in benefits for the rioters the ruling class quickly crushed the rebellions and revoked the benefits of the peasants.