[The Rise of the Democracy by Joseph Clayton]@TWC D-Link book
The Rise of the Democracy

CHAPTER III
16/37

The total abolition of all villeinage (forced labour) and serfdom.
3.

An end to all tolls and market dues--"freedom to buy and sell in all cities, burghs, mercantile towns, and other places within our kingdom of England." 4.

All customary tenants to become leaseholders at a fixed rental of fourpence an acre for ever.
That all doubts might be removed, thirty clerks were set to work on the spot to draw up charters of manumission, and banners were presented to each county.

At nightfall thousands returned home convinced that the old order was ended, and that the Royal charters were genuine assurances of freedom.
But Tyler and the bulk of the men of Kent and Surrey remained in the city.
It seemed to Wat Tyler that better terms still were to be wrung from the King.

It looked that night as though the insurrection had triumphed completely.


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