Terry Deary’s Riotous History of Rebellions and Revolutions
By Max Latif (Sixth Form Academy)
Remember, remember the fourth of November.
Wait, wasn’t Guy Fawkes arrested on the fifth?
No, actually. As Terry Deary revealed whilst discussing his new book, Revolting, Guy Fawkes was arrested before midnight. This was one of many historical misconceptions Deary cleared up whilst re-working the narratives of rebellions like the Gunpowder Plot.
Instead of your classic bonfire night story, he offers us the chance to explore Fawkes’ motivations. When he was sixteen, the martyr Margaret Clitherow was executed in his home city, having been arrested for sheltering Catholic priests. Deary posits that the impact of Clitherow’s religious sacrifice on the teenage Fawkes could have led him to becoming the man we burn effegies of today.
But what makes thousands of ordinary people forgo their safety? Deary explores why through the Peasant’s Revolt. For many in 1381, King Richard II’s imposition of a poll tax was bad enough. On top of that, its purpose was to fund further fighting in France. Who would make up the bulk of Richard’s army? Peasants, conscripted against their will.
Somehow, I doubt many people today would rally behind Richard. But what this extra context does tell us is that the qualms of ordinary people in the 14th century are not worlds away from our own. After all, our last spate of poll tax riots only took place 35 years ago.
Deary’s exploration of rebellions and revolutions demonstrates how, throughout history, people have united to defend their livelihoods, communities and liberties against powerful threats. Whether they succeed or fail, the rebels of today stand for many of the same principles as the rioters of the past, even if they don’t know it. But Revolting also reveals something else about rebels: not all of them are daredevils, bucaneers or charismatic heroes. Even those non-assuming, law-abiding citizens are not made of stone. When faced with the most dire circumstances, they may well reach their breaking point and decide enough is enough.
If you were pushed to your limits, would you not rise up?
