October’s HHS lecture about the Peasants’ Revolt was one of the most interesting the Society has ever hosted.
Peter Barber introduced Professor Andrew Prescott and told us that the idea for the lecture had been hatched during a tea-break at the British Library – 46 years ago!
The Peasants’ Revolt of 1831 is known to every school child as being the first and one of the largest mass risings in English history. The full picture of why it happened, who was involved and the long-term ramifications continue to be studied.
Andrew started by dispelling a few myths about the rising and then brought the whole thing closer to home – specifically Tottenham, Hornsey and Crouch End!
His audience was spell-bound as he described how local landowner and corrupt Juror Stephen Maynard (yes, that Maynard!) was targeted by rebels who arrived in Crouch End to burn down his property.
Lots of questions on this fascinating story followed.
David Winskill
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Image Credits
Unknown medieval artist illustrating Froissart’s Chronicles, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Professor Andrew Prescott , via Author’s collection