Wat Tyler

Europe didn't have a wonderful time in the 14th century. The famine of 1315–1317 was the beginning, brought on by unusually severe rainfall and flooding over the continent. Before things could get back to normal, the Black Death, one of the worst virus epidemics in history, struck numerous densely populated cities and villages across the continent in 1948.

That served as the setting for the 1381 Wat Tyler Revolt, a peasant uprising in Britain over harsh taxation regulations. While little is known about Tyler's early years, later documents seem to indicate that the insurrection was based in the Essex region and had strong local backing.

He assembled a bunch of peasants, gave them whatever weapons they could find, and led them towards London. Despite their initial success in entering the city and compelling King Richard II to engage in negotiations, it was short-lived. The insurrection was finally put to an end when Tyler was eventually murdered by London's mayor, Sir William Walworth, during a contentious negotiation.

Born: c.1320/4 January 1341Kent or Essex, England
Died; 15 June 1381London, England
Nationality: English
Known for: Peasants' Revolt