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Revolting peasants attack Otford Palace

Insurgents attacked the episcopal residences at Lambeth, Croydon and Otford during the Peasants Revolt on 1381.

The Peasants’ Revolt, also named Wat Tyler’s Rebellion or the Great Rising, was a major uprising across large parts of England in 1381. The revolt had various causes, including the socio-economic and political tensions generated by the Black Death in the 1340s, the high taxes resulting from the conflict with France during the Hundred Years’ War, and instability within the local leadership of London. (Wikipedia)  The attacks were not because they were symbols of the archbishop’s unpopularity but because they held manorial documents of labour services which were restrictive and rents that were high.  Archbishop Courtenay made good the damage, repairing roofs, fences, tables and chairs and rebuild the main hall. (Emery, A. (2006) Greater Medieval Houses of England and Wales, Volume III Southern England. Cambridge University Press.)