The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 and Hornsey

The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 is remembered as the first mass rising in English history and one of the largest popular rebellions in medieval Europe. But few are aware of the part played by Hornsey in the Peasants’ Revolt: Tottenham had previously been the scene of major riots against labour laws.

Some of the main rebel bands passed down the Lea valley during the revolt. A group of prominent Middlesex lawyers and officials were particularly hated by the rebels and lost property in the rising. Stephen Maynard was a corrupt juror who held land in Crouch End, Highgate and Islington. A rebel band rode out to burn Maynard’s houses in Crouch End and Highgate. John Butterwick, also known as Doget, was under sheriff of Middlesex, and held a great deal in land in the county, including the Tottenham manor of Ducketts, commemorated now in Ducketts Common at Wood Green. Butterwick’s property was another major target of the rebels in 1381.

Come along to this HHS talk to hear more about Hornsey’s connections with this celebrated event in medieval history.

About the Speaker

Andrew Prescott is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow. He was a Curator of Manuscripts at the British Library from 1979 to 2000. He was Professor of Digital Humanities at the University of Glasgow and from 2012 to 2019 Theme Research Fellow in Digital Transformations for the Arts and Humanities Research Council. He has published widely on late medieval history and the history of libraries and archives.

Details

HHS Talks are free for members of the Society. The talk is also available on Zoom for members who will receive the link by email.

Non-members are welcome to attend in person (subject to there being enough space available) and are encouraged to make a donation (suggested minimum £5.00) or sign up for membership on the night.

Image Credits

Unknown medieval artist illustrating Froissart’s Chronicles, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons