OCR Specification focus:
‘Richard’s concept of monarchy; the causes, events and results of the Peasants’ Revolt’
Richard II’s early reign reveals both an ambitious royal ideology and the explosive tensions of late fourteenth-century England. His notion of kingship and the dramatic Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 together shaped the fragile monarchy of the young king.
Richard II’s Concept of Monarchy
The Divine Right of Kings
Richard II believed strongly in the sacred nature of monarchy. He held that kings were appointed by God and therefore answerable only to Him.
Divine Right of Kings: The doctrine that monarchs derive their authority directly from God, not from the consent of the people or governing bodies.
Practice Questions
FAQ
Richard was only fourteen during the revolt, which meant he had little direct governing experience. Despite this, his personal bravery at Mile End and Smithfield impressed many contemporaries.
His youth also allowed him to make promises he did not intend to keep, since responsibility for policy decisions rested with his advisers. This dual role — a figurehead of authority but not yet an independent ruler — shaped the course of events in 1381.
Though less prominent in chronicles, women were active participants. For example:
Women joined in attacking manorial records, which symbolised feudal obligations.
Some, like Johanna Ferrour, were identified as leaders in specific attacks in London.
Their involvement highlighted how discontent with taxation and social constraints cut across gender, even if male leaders dominated the narrative.
London was the kingdom’s political and economic hub. Rebels hoped that by controlling the capital, they could pressure the monarchy and government.
Londoners initially supported the rebels, opening the city gates and joining attacks on officials. However, the alliance was fragile. The urban elite later feared losing order and withdrew support, helping Richard to reassert control.
Ball preached a radical interpretation of equality. His famous phrase, “When Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?”, challenged traditional hierarchies.
He promoted:
The rejection of serfdom.
Greater social equality rooted in Christian teaching.
The belief that divine authority did not justify aristocratic privilege.
This rhetoric resonated with common people but alarmed elites, reinforcing the perception of the revolt as dangerously subversive.
The revolt convinced Richard that he had a divine mission to rule independently, strengthening his sense of absolute kingship.
However, the nobility distrusted him more deeply afterwards, fearing his tendency to bypass counsel. This tension between royal authority and aristocratic expectation laid the groundwork for conflicts in the later years of his reign.
