THIS week in Down Memory Lane we recall troubled times 632 years ago in Thurrock.

Thomas Baker, of Fobbing, was one of the leaders who initiated the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381.

His holding was Pokattescroft alias Bakerescroft, later known as Whitehall Six Acres in Fobbing, a small Thameside village dominated with farming of sheep on the marshes.

The Peasants’ Revolt was triggered by incidents in the Essex villages of Fobbing and Brentwood.

On May 30, 1381, John Brampton attempted to investigate non-payment of the poll tax and based himself out of Brentwood, where he summoned representatives from the neighboring villages of Corringham, Fobbing and Stanford-le-Hope to explain and make good the shortfalls on June 1.

The villagers appear to have arrived well-organised, armed with old bows and sticks. First he interrogated the people of Fobbing, for whom Baker declared that his village had already paid and no more would be forthcoming.

When Bampton and two sergeants attempted to arrest Baker, violence broke out. Bampton escaped and retreated to London, but three of his clerks and several of the Brentwood townsfolk who had agreed to act as jurors were killed.

The villagers, led by Baker, joined forces with others from Essex and Kent, ending in London where many buildings were ransacked and burnt, including the Tower of London, leading to the signing of a peace charter on June 14.

However, the following day Wat Tyler, leader of the revolution, met the King at Smithfield, just outside the city walls. An argument broke out between him and some of the royal servants that led to Tyler attempting to attack the mayor, leading to the rebel being stabbed and killed.

Tyler’s head was cut off and displayed on a pole and, with their leader dead and the Royal government now backed by the London militia, the rebel movement began to collapse.

Thomas Baker was “drawn and hanged for divers, felonies and treason” on July 4, 1381, at Chelmsford.