 On 15 June , revolt broke out in Cambridgeshire , led by elements of Wrawe 's Suffolk rebellion and some local men , such as John Greyston , who had been involved in the events in London and had returned to his home county to spread the revolt , and Geoffrey Cobbe and John Hanchach , members of the local gentry . The University of Cambridge , staffed by priests and enjoying special royal privileges , was widely hated by the other inhabitants of the town . A revolt backed by the Mayor of Cambridge broke out with the university as its main target . The rebels ransacked Corpus Christi College , which had connections to John of Gaunt , and the University 's church , and attempted to execute the University bedel , who escaped . The university 's library and archives were burnt in the centre of the town . The next day , the university was forced to negotiate a new charter , giving up its royal privileges . Revolt then spread north from Cambridge toward Ely , where the gaol was opened and the local Justice of the Peace executed . 
