Thomas Baker (Peasants' Revolt leader)
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Thomas Baker was one of the leaders who initiated the Peasants' Revolt of 1381.
The Peasants' Revolt was triggered by incidents in the Essex villages of Fobbing and Brentwood. On 30th May, John Brapton attempted to collect the poll tax from villagers at Fobbing. The villagers, led by Thomas Baker, a local landowner, told Brampton that they would give him nothing and he was forced to leave the village empty handed. Robert Belknap (Chief Justice of Common Pleas) was sent to investigate the incident and to punish the offenders. On 2nd June, he was attacked at Brentwood. By this time the violent discontent had spread, and the counties of Essex and Kent were in full revolt. Soon people moved on London in an armed uprising.[1]
Thomas Baker owned "Pokattescroft alias Bakerescroft" in Fobbing. This holding still exists, although by the time of the 19th century tithe map it had become known as Whitehall Six Acres[2]. Thomas Baker was drawn and hanged for his part in the uprising on 4th July 1381 at Chelmsford[3].
[edit] Notes
- ^ Maurice Hugh Keen, England in the Later Middle Ages: A Political History (Routledge, 1975)
- ^ Randal Bingley, Hanged on the 4th of July (in Panorama - the Journal of the Thurrock Local History Society, 1996)
- ^ Randal Bingley, Fobbing, Life and Landscape (Pheon Heritage in association with Thurrock Council Museum, 1997)
