Jack Straw (rebel leader) facts for kids
Jack Straw was one of the main leaders of the Peasants' Revolt in 1381. This was a big uprising in the history of England. He led the rebels along with John Ball and Wat Tyler. Some people think Jack Straw might have been a different name for Wat Tyler or another leader.
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Who Was Jack Straw?
We don't know much for sure about Jack Straw. Some historians think he might have been a preacher. It was common for rebel leaders to use different names during the revolt. This makes it a bit confusing to know exactly who was who.
Some old writings mention Jack Straw. One writer, Thomas Walsingham, said Straw was a priest. He also claimed Straw was a second-in-command for rebels from Bury St Edmunds and Mildenhall. However, this might be a mix-up with another priest named John Wrawe. John Wrawe led the uprising in Suffolk.
Other stories say Jack Straw led people from Essex. This was different from Wat Tyler, who led the rebels from Kent.
The End of the Revolt
Jack Straw was likely executed in 1381. This happened after the Peasants' Revolt ended. Another writer, Froissart, said that after Wat Tyler died, Jack Straw was found hiding and was then beheaded.
Thomas Walsingham wrote a long story about what Jack Straw supposedly confessed. In this story, Straw said the rebels planned to kill the king and many important people. He also claimed they wanted to make their own laws and burn London. However, many historians think this confession was probably made up.
Later stories, like those by Raphael Holinshed, added more details. They repeated a tale that Jack Straw, also called John Tyler, became a rebel because a tax collector attacked his daughter.
Jack Straw in English Culture
Even if we're not sure exactly who Jack Straw was, he became an important part of the story of the Peasants' Revolt.
Jack Straw in Literature
Jack Straw and other rebel leaders appear in old English writings.
- John Gower wrote about them in his book Vox Clamantis.
- Geoffrey Chaucer also mentioned Straw in The Nun's Priest's Tale. Chaucer wrote about Jack Straw leading a crowd against foreign workers.
There was even a play about him in 1593 called The Life and Death of Jack Straw.
Jack Straw's Name Today
A famous pub in London was named after Jack Straw. It was called the Jack Straw's Castle. People said Jack Straw spoke to rebels from a hay wagon on Hampstead Heath. This wagon became known as "Jack Straw's Castle." The pub closed in 2002.
A British politician born in 1946 also chose the name "Jack Straw." He was named John Whitaker Straw but adopted "Jack" after the rebel leader.
