John Ball (Hedgerow Priest) 1338-1381 The image explained Key discussion questions

‘Matters cannot go well in England nor ever shall until all things shall be held in common, • This image captures the scene of one of the open • What can you see in this photograph? air sermons of . The priest himself is when there are no vassals or Lords’. • John Ball is at the centre of this image preaching, captured at the centre of the image mid-speech. John Ball, 1381 what does that suggest about his role in the • It is known that Ball showed little fear in his Peasant’s Revolt? campaign to travel the country, finding people to • Why do you think Ball is preaching outside? preach to in village greens or other public spaces. John Ball was a chaplain, travelling radical preacher There is however concrete evidence of a open-air • The mood of the crowd seems very positive, can and one of the key leaders of the Peasants’ Revolt, sermon delivered by Ball when the rebels arrived in • This particular sermon recreated by Saunders you find any examples? 1381. He dedicated much of his life to challenging the Blackheath on 12th June 1381, where he spoke some is intended to be after his excommunication social and religious hierarchies in England, which kept of his most famous words: from the . This explains the more • What does the location of the image, by the sea, peasants in a state of poverty and serfdom. remote nature of this location. tell us about the revolt and where it took place? Whanne Adam dalfe and Eve span, • The size of the crowd is large. This would suggest • How are the crowd dressed and what does this Under the system of serfdom every man woman Who was þanne a gentil man? that these people had either travelled with Ball tell us about their status in British society? and child in England was forced by both law and to the site, or of their own accord, specifically to circumstance to work for a local lord. They were tied There are many interpretations of this couplet; • Are there any other clues that tell us about the hear him speak. to their land and paid rent through hard work and the most likely explanation comes from Thomas people in the picture? harvests. The system did not consider the needs Walsingham who believed Ball was seeking to • There are also signs that they may have left • What animals can you see in the photograph and of the individual, and the success or failure of the demonstrate the need for equality in society and home in a hurry. There are pitchforks and animals why do you think they are there? harvest would dictate whether or not people had more importantly that this is was what God would present to remind us that these were working • Do the people in the picture suggest Ball was a enough to eat. have wanted. Ball believed that God was just; it was people. compassionate and enigmatic leader? man that corrupted his will. From the beginning all • There are people smiling, couples kissing and Whilst John Ball’s actions are well documented, men by nature were created alike. Servitude was an music playing. This shows that the crowd are very there remains some mystery about the details of his entirely man made system and therefore the peasants happy to be there, and is in line with the positive personal life as this wasn’t recorded at the time. It is must recover their rightful liberty. message that Ball was known for. believed that in his early 20s he was a chantry priest and afforded the protection of the King (Edward III). In the 14th Century this was an incredibly powerful • The image has representatives of a wide range of This protection was short-lived however, as it was and dangerous message. Failed negotiations with peasant society, old and young, male and female, revoked when the King found that he was touring the King Richard II led to further rebellions as the now able-bodied and disabled; all were welcome. country preaching against the practices of the church. furious peasants marched on . It was here that the bishop was beheaded. The King’s disapproval did little to dissuade Ball who was fast becoming a powerful public speaker and a The tragic end of the peasants revolt was marked favourite of the downtrodden peasant class. Soon first by the cruel murder of . This was Ball and his teachings were well known across the soon followed, despite his attempts to flee, by the country and he was ordered to appear before the execution of Ball after a swift trial in St. Albans. He Simon Sudbury (later Archbishop of was hung drawn and quartered in the presence of ). He did not listen to their warnings and the king himself. In recognition of his influence and went on the run, fighting against numerous attempts as a message to the peasants, after the rebellion died to imprison and ultimately silence him. For this down Ball’s head was put on a pike and displayed on reason he was excommunicated from the church and . arrested by the Sheriff of .

The exact details of Ball’s involvement in the riots that formed the Peasant’s Revolt in 1381 depend on which sources are consulted. Some believe he was rescued from Prison by Wat Tyler’s men as their revolt spread across and Kent. Others believe Ball would have been held in the Royal Prison which was not stormed by Tyler until a few months later.

John Bull (Hedgerow Priest) 1338-1381 © Red Saunders courtesy Impressions Gallery