⚜ THE PEASANTS’ REVOLT SERIES ⚜
A ten-part documentary series examining one of the most misunderstood uprisings in medieval history. The Great Rising of 1381 was not a tax rebellion by desperate, starving peasants—it was a sophisticated assault on a corrupt legal system.
🎙️ LATEST EPISODES
Episode 2: The Corruption Machine (1351-1377)
The Statute of Labourers wasn’t just an economic regulation—it was a new kind of law that turned everyday negotiations into crimes. And the men enforcing it? The same men who employed workers.
Topics covered: The Statute of Labourers enforcement system • Justice of the Peace corruption (94% vs 6% prosecution rates) • The Great Rumour of 1377 • John Ball’s coded letters and insurgent literacy • The Law of Winchester demands • Poll tax escalation
Episode 1: The Black Death’s Golden Age
In June 1348, a ship arrived at England’s southern coast carrying a disease that would kill half the population. But for the survivors, the Black Death created something unexpected: power.
Runtime: 32 minutes | Published: March 2, 2026
📚 ABOUT SAMUEL STEPHEN CHRONICLES
Through deep-dive documentary series, we examine how institutions are built, how authority is constructed, and why some structures survive while others collapse. From medieval kingdoms to modern industries, each series investigates the mechanisms behind historical change.
Hosted by Samuel Stephen, writer and historical analyst.