Everything Everywhere Daily · Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Upon entering London on June 13th, 1381, the rebels, led by Wat Tyler, focused their attacks on specific symbols of oppression. They burned John of Gaunt's Savoy Palace and specifically targeted Flemish merchants, whom they resented as economic competitors, killing several and distinguishing themselves from common thieves by destroying rather than looting valuables.
“They went directly to the Savoy Palace, the residence of the regent John of Gaunt, whom they regarded as the chief author of their oppression, and burned it to the ground.”
“Foreign merchants, particularly Flemish traders who were resented as economic competitors by London's own artisans and workers, were singled out and a number of them were killed.”
“The chroniclers of the revolt record that the rebels deliberately destroyed the palace's treasures rather than looting them, throwing gold and silver into the Thames and declaring themselves seekers of justice rather than thieves.”