William Grindecobbe or Grindcobbe[1] was one of the peasant leaders during the English Peasants' Revolt of 1381. A Townsman of St Albans,[2] he was a substantial property owner there and has been described as a 'hero' of the revolt.[3]
Life
His name implies that he was a miller of grain.[4] He was one of a number of millers who took part in the revolt, and has been described as having been eloquent[5] and literate.[6] It has also been suggested that he was an excommunicate priest,[7] possibly an alumnus of St Albans Abbey.[8] It thus possible that he was motivated at least in part to rebel as a result of the pressures of papal taxation.[9]
Along with Wat Tyler and John Wrawe, he was one of the key leaders of the peasants during the revolt of 1381,[10] leading the townspeople of St Albans on 15 June.[11]
He was executed in 1381 along with John Wrawe and John Ball. His trial and execution was overseen by Henry le Despenser.[12]
Role in Peasants' Revolt
During the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, he became well known for his actions against the high lord Thomas de la Mare, Abbot of St. Albans.[12] He led a deputation to King Richard II, whom the rebels met at Mile End[13] which 'extorted' a letter from the King to the Abbot forcing the latter to give up the royal charters he held to the rebels. They ultimately destroyed the charters and a portion of the abbey itself.[7]
He was executed along with other leaders of the Revolt, and although his trial was deemed to have been fair,[12] it has also been described as being in the nature of a 'show trial.'[14] It has been suggested that he made a speech from the scaffold implicating John Wycliffe in the rebellion.[15]
Sources
Most of the details about his life have been derived from the writings of Thomas Walsingham, who was a monk resident in an abbey,[16] and may well have witnessed Grindecobbe's execution.[17]