 Revolt also flared in neighbouring Kent . Sir Simon de Burley , a close associate of both Edward III and the young Richard , had claimed that a man in Kent , called Robert Belling , was an escaped serf from one of his estates . Burley sent two sergeants to Gravesend , where Belling was living , to reclaim him . Gravesend 's local bailiffs and Belling tried to negotiate a solution under which Burley would accept a sum of money in return for dropping his case , but this failed and Belling was taken away to be imprisoned at Rochester Castle . A furious group of local people gathered at Dartford , possibly on 5 June , to discuss the matter . From there the rebels travelled to Maidstone , where they stormed the gaol , and then onto Rochester on 6 June . Faced by the angry crowds , the constable in charge of Rochester Castle surrendered it without a fight and Belling was freed . 
