Description
Book SynopsisPopular protests in medieval English towns were as frequent and as sophisticated, if not more so, as those in the countryside. This groundbreaking study refocuses attention on the leadership, social composition, organisation and motives of urban popular protest, revealing how its timing and character varied from events on the continent.
Trade Review'A step forward and bound to stimulate and facilitate further study.' The Times Literary Supplement
'What we have here is an important book based on thorough research that never fails to enlighten and absorb the reader.' Sean McGlynn, History
'This is a bold book, making large claims. Cohn provides brief accounts of numerous outbreaks of unrest in medieval towns which will be interesting to local historians.' Heather Falvey, The Ricardian
Table of ContentsPart I. The Setting: 1. Introduction: questions and sources; 2. Class struggle in English towns: workers and bosses; 3. Varieties of revolt; Part II. Crown and Town: Strife with Secular Authority: 4. Revolts against the Crown: crises of kingship from John Lackland to Henry VI; 5. The Black Death and urban protest; 6. Urban revolts against the Crown outside London: the case of Bristol; 7. A wave of insurrection, 1312–18?; 8. Tax revolts; 9. Revolts: poor against rich; Part III. Church and City: 10. Revolts in monastic boroughs; 11. Church struggles in towns other than monastic boroughs; 12. Urban conflict against bishops and universities; 13. Urban risings of hatred: Jews, foreigners, and heretics; 14. Conclusion; Bibliography.
