Jack Straw

Family: rebels · Role: commander · First appears: Book 2, Chapter 3

In 1381, Jack Straw joined Wat Tyler and John Ball at Canterbury, where they resolved to march on London and summon support from other counties. He was one of the rebels’ commanders, though the account names Tyler as principal. After the rebels entered London, Straw and the other leaders marched through the city with their forces.

The rebels demolished the Marshalsea and freed its prisoners, then burned the palace of the Savoy. They later established quarters before the Tower and demanded concessions from the king and an accounting from the Chancellor. Straw joined Tyler and Ball in forcing their way into the Tower, where they seized Simon, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was beheaded; the heads of four victims were then carried through London and placed on London Bridge.

After the rebels refused to leave London, Straw remained with their leaders as they sought disorder and gathered at Smithfield, where they planned to pillage the city. He and John Ball were betrayed by their own men and found hiding in an old ruin. Straw was beheaded, and his head was displayed on London Bridge beside Tyler’s.