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1371-1380
1381-1390
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Timeline
for
Our Period of Interest


1381-1390






1381 May The peasants of Kent, Sussex, and Bedford rise in revolt against the poll tax, taking their bows and marching on London. As they go they kill any tax collector they can find, sack manor houses and molest the Queen Mother.
{Froissart's Chronicle Text]
    The English Parliament refuses to grant taxes for the war in France.
  13 June Wat Tyler and the rebels from Essex and Kent enter London, killing some Flemish merchants and burning the Savoy Palace of John of Gaunt.
  14 June Richard II meets with with Wat Tyler and the rebels outside London at Mile End, promising them cheap land, free trade, and the abolition of serfdom and forced labour.
[Froissart's Chronicle Image],
During the king's absence, the Kentish rebels in the city forced the surrender of the Tower of London; the chancellor, Archbishop Simon of Sudbury, and the treasurer, Sir Robert Hales, both of whom were held responsible for the poll tax, were beheaded.
  15 June Richard II meets with Wat Tyler and the Rebels again, this time at Smithfield. Wat Tyler was knocked from his horse by William Walworth, the Mayor of London, and stabbed in the stomach by one of the king's squires.
[Froissart's Chronicle Image]
In the subsequent confusion the king appealed to the rebels as their sovereign and, after promising reforms, persuaded them to disperse. John Ball and Jack Straw along with all the remaining leaders were executed. Other than the repeal of the Poll tax, all of the king's promises were forgotten.
1382 24 January Philip van Artevelde elected Ruwaert (Regent) of Ghent.
    The English Parliament again refuses to grant any taxes for the war in France.
    Louis, Duc de Anjou, President of the Council, departs France for Naples, in search of his own Kingdom.
  November Battle of Roosebeke.
[Froissart's Chronicle Image]
The French defeat the army of the burgers of Flanders, 'and slew them without pity, as though they had been but dogs'. Philip van Artevelde, the Flemish leader, is among the slain.
1383   Louis de la Male, Count of Flanders dies. The County descends to Philippe de Bourgogne.
    The English Parliament again refuses to grant any taxes for the war in France
    Henry Despencer, Bishop of Norwich, along with Sir Hugh Calveley, lands at Calais with around 2,000 men, to lead a 'crusade' against the Clementist French. Despite the fact that Flanders is loyal to Pope Urban, they proceed to advance along the Flemish coast, taking several towns and laying siege to Ypres. When a French army is raised to confront them, they retreat, and are besieged themselves in Gravelines, from whence they are rescued by a force of Bretons.
1384    
1385 Feast of Our Lady, 14 August Battle of Aljubarota
[Froissart's Chronicle Image]
1386   Jean IV de Bretagne, infuriated that his English 'allies' have released the Blois claimant to the Duchy of Brittany, abandons them, laying siege to the English garrison at Brest.
[Froissart's Chronicle Image]
    A French army of approximately 30,000, intended for the invasion of England, Gathers in and around Sluys. A fleet of 1,200 cogs, galleys and sailing barges is gathered to transport them. It is delayed until autumn by an illness of Philippe de Bourgogne.
  July John of Gaunt departs England for Castille, in pursuit of the Crown of Castille, which he has a claim to through his wife, the daughter of Pedro the Cruel.
  October At a divisive Parliament, Buckingham, the Duke of Gloucester, leads opposition to the Chancellor, Suffolk. King Richard tells Buckingham that his people were in rebellion, and he would ask the King of France for help. Buckingham responds saying that if Richard did so, he would be overthrown by his nobles, and someone else (assumeably Buckingham) put in his place. Reluctantly, Richard dismisses Suffolk, and a new Council is appointed, headed by Buckingham.
  Mid-November Having delayed the invasion too long, and having been told by the sailing masters that the crossing would be disastrous at best, if not completely impossible, the French call off the invasion.
1387 March The Earl of Arundel, with 60 ships, attacks a Flemish wine fleet that is sailing from La Rochell to Sluys. He captures 50 ships and 19,000 tuns of good wine, which he sends back to England and sells at a token price, which makes him very popular. He continues on, raiding the Flemish coast, then sails to relieve Brest, and attempt a reconciliation with Jean IV, Duc de Bretagne. Jean remains cold to the idea, and Arundel returns to England.
1388    
1389 2 May Richard II takes control of the kingdom from his council.
  18 July Truce signed at Leulinghen, renewed repeatedly preventing any major campaigns until 1404.
1390   Tourney at St. Inglevert, Calais
Tourney at Smithfield, London
Tourney in Paris
  21 May The Jousts of St. Ingelvert. Boucicaut (Foissart says the Younger), Reginald de Roye and the lord de Saimpi hold the list for thirty days against all comers.
[Froissart's Chronicle Image]


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