 The revolt of 1381 broke out in Essex , following the arrival of John Bampton to investigate non @-@ payment of the poll tax on 30 May . Bampton was a member of Parliament , a Justice of the Peace and well @-@ connected with royal circles . He based himself in Brentwood and summoned representatives from the neighbouring villages of Corringham , Fobbing and Stanford @-@ le @-@ Hope to explain and make good the shortfalls on 1 June . The villagers appear to have arrived well @-@ organised , and armed with old bows and sticks . Bampton first interrogated the people of Fobbing , whose representative , Thomas Baker , declared that his village had already paid their taxes , and that no more money 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 . Robert Bealknap , the Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas , who was probably already holding court in the area , was empowered to arrest and deal with the perpetrators . 
