Richard of Wallingford (constable)
Encyclopedia
Richard of Wallingford constable of Wallingford Castle
and landowner in St Albans
, played a key part in the English peasants' revolt of 1381. Though clearly not a peasant, he helped organise Wat Tyler
’s campaign, and was involved in presenting the rebels’ petition to Richard II
. The petition called for an end to feudal
serfdom
, the ending of services to a feudal lord, to abolish market monopolies and restrictions on buying and selling goods. Tyler refused to accept a charter offered by the king, despite Richard of Wallingford’s encouragement.
Richard of Wallingford took a letter from the king to St Albans, where a rebellion was in progress. William Grindecobbe, leader of the revolt in St Albans, and his supporters including William Cadington, John Barbour were complaining about the suppression of rights to grind grains. They believed that this was permitted by an ancient charter of liberties of King Offa, that had been since been denied by the abbot
of St Albans Abbey
. Wallingford argued with the abbot about these rights. using the king's letter and called for the ancient charter to be produced. However, during the course of the discussions, news arrived that Tyler had been killed, which led to the rebels reducing their terms.
With Richard II back in control, most of Wallingford’s co-rebels were executed, but Wallingford was sent to jail and later pardoned by the king. Meanwhile, the king revoked all the charters issued during the rebellion, and restored the rights of the abbot of St Albans.
Richard of Wallingford, constable, is not to be confused with the earlier Richard of Wallingford
, mathematician and abbot of St Albans Abbey.
Wallingford Castle
Wallingford Castle was a major medieval castle situated in Wallingford in the English county of Oxfordshire , adjacent to the River Thames...
and landowner in St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
, played a key part in the English peasants' revolt of 1381. Though clearly not a peasant, he helped organise Wat Tyler
Wat Tyler
Walter "Wat" Tyler was a leader of the English Peasants' Revolt of 1381.-Early life:Knowledge of Tyler's early life is very limited, and derives mostly through the records of his enemies. Historians believe he was born in Essex, but are not sure why he crossed the Thames Estuary to Kent...
’s campaign, and was involved in presenting the rebels’ petition to Richard II
Richard II of England
Richard II was King of England, a member of the House of Plantagenet and the last of its main-line kings. He ruled from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. Richard was a son of Edward, the Black Prince, and was born during the reign of his grandfather, Edward III...
. The petition called for an end to feudal
Feudalism
Feudalism was a set of legal and military customs in medieval Europe that flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries, which, broadly defined, was a system for ordering society around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labour.Although derived from the...
serfdom
Serfdom
Serfdom is the status of peasants under feudalism, specifically relating to Manorialism. It was a condition of bondage or modified slavery which developed primarily during the High Middle Ages in Europe and lasted to the mid-19th century...
, the ending of services to a feudal lord, to abolish market monopolies and restrictions on buying and selling goods. Tyler refused to accept a charter offered by the king, despite Richard of Wallingford’s encouragement.
Richard of Wallingford took a letter from the king to St Albans, where a rebellion was in progress. William Grindecobbe, leader of the revolt in St Albans, and his supporters including William Cadington, John Barbour were complaining about the suppression of rights to grind grains. They believed that this was permitted by an ancient charter of liberties of King Offa, that had been since been denied by the abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of St Albans Abbey
St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral church at St Albans, England. At , its nave is the longest of any cathedral in England...
. Wallingford argued with the abbot about these rights. using the king's letter and called for the ancient charter to be produced. However, during the course of the discussions, news arrived that Tyler had been killed, which led to the rebels reducing their terms.
With Richard II back in control, most of Wallingford’s co-rebels were executed, but Wallingford was sent to jail and later pardoned by the king. Meanwhile, the king revoked all the charters issued during the rebellion, and restored the rights of the abbot of St Albans.
Richard of Wallingford, constable, is not to be confused with the earlier Richard of Wallingford
Richard of Wallingford
Richard of Wallingford was an English mathematician who made major contributions to astronomy/astrology and horology while serving as abbot of St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire.-Biography:...
, mathematician and abbot of St Albans Abbey.