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The Peasants' Revolting Crimes Paperback – 23 Oct. 2019

by Terry Deary (Author)
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Popular history writer Terry Deary takes us on a light-hearted and often humorous romp through the centuries with Mr & Mrs Peasant, recounting foul and dastardly deeds committed by the underclasses, as well as the punishments meted out by those on the right side' of the law. Discover tales of arsonists and axe-wielders, grave robbers and garroters, poisoners and prostitutes. Delve into the dark histories of beggars, swindlers, forgers, sheep rustlers and a whole host of other felons from the lower ranks of society who have veered off the straight and narrow. There are stories of highwaymen and hooligans, violent gangs, clashing clans and the witch trials that shocked a nation. Learn too about the impoverished workers who raised a riot opposing crippling taxes and draconian laws, as well as the strikers and machine-smashers who thumped out their grievances against new technologies that threatened their livelihoods. Britain has never been short of those who have been prepared to flout the law of the land for the common good, or for their own despicable purposes. The upper classes have lorded and hoarded their wealth for centuries of British history, often to the disadvantage of the impoverished. Frustration in the face of this has resulted in revolt. Read all about it here! This entertaining book is packed full of revolting acts and acts of revolt, revealing how ordinary folk - from nasty Normans to present-day lawbreakers - have left an extraordinary trail of criminality behind them. The often gruesome penalties exacted in retribution reveal a great deal about some of the most fascinating eras of British history.
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  1. Part of series
    The Peasants' Revolting
  2. Print length
    210 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Pen & Sword History
  5. Publication date
    23 Oct. 2019
  6. Dimensions
    15.88 x 1.91 x 22.86 cm
  7. ISBN-10
    1526745577
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1526745576
  9. See all details
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The Peasants' Revolting Lives: Stories of the Worst of Times Lived by the Underclasses of Britain
The Peasants' Revolting Lives: Stories of the Worst of Times Lived by the Underclasses of Britain
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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
35 global ratings

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fabulous crime book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 July 2020
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This is a fabulous and very funny book of all the crimes in history and is a very good reference book for examining and a level history into crime worth every penny
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ROBERT NEIL SMITH
3.0 out of 5 stars A mixed Message
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 November 2019
You might know Terry Deary from his best-selling Horrible History books. If so, the format of The Peasants’ Revolting…Crimes will come as no surprise. This is a rapid-fire, no-holds-barred romp through most of British history, with nods to Shakespeare, Dickens, and the Holy Bible along the way, emphasizing the criminal activities of the underclass and the often violent reactions of those in power. It was ever thus is the clear message.
Deary begins in the Norman period with a range of anecdotes, including the origins of football violence, but his chronological grasp is slippery even venturing into the 18th Century and the story of Dick Turpin – this happens in all the chapters. The Mediaeval World brings more petty crimes and brutal punishment but also peasant revolts like Wat Tyler’s in 1381 and Owain Glyndwr in 1400. Deary starts his chapter on Wild Women with the story of the Border Reivers before coming to the Maria Marten case from 1828. The ‘female’ crimes of poisoning and infanticide also receive Deary’s treatment. Then we are back into the Tudor period for more crimes, some of which were met with burning and boiling. We also meet the mistreated vagrants and beggars. The Stuart era brought witches to the fore and more judicial excess. Deary continues with a chapter on quaint crimes such as quackery and wife-buying, though garrotting was not so quaint. Deary concludes with a chapter of Georgian and Victorian crimes before a pessimistic epilogue that there will probably always be poor people that receive the short end of the judicial stick, but we should hope for better things anyway.
I did not know quite what to make of The Peasants’ Revolting…Crimes. Deary describes himself as a subversive but not a historian, which is a neat ‘get out of jail’ clause but does not quite wash. This is a history book and it has an underlying class-driven thesis. But that is not the problem. On the surface, this skips along, and the interspersed jokes and pithy quotes help with the flow. It is funny too in parts. There is, however, a very dark undercurrent to most of the stories and in each one somebody suffered, sometimes horribly. I found it hard to overlook that fact, but I suspect I am not the intended audience, so other readers might take it on face value better than I did.
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donnasbookblog
5.0 out of 5 stars This book was an excellent read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 November 2019
I thought that this book was excellent!

It was full of fun facts, the writing style was brilliant as I had expected from reading some of this author’s previous books and I was giggling at some of the witty comments and sometimes inappropriate things said!

I read the book over the space of a few days as it is one that you can easily dip in and out of and it was a book I genuinely looked forward to picking up. The layout and chapter length was spot on too.

It was interesting and informative - it is 5 stars from me for this one, I thought it was excellent - jam packed full of facts, and fun too - very highly recommended!!
2 people found this helpful
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Hugh Dunnett
3.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for those who love but have outgrown Horrible Histories
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 June 2020
When I picked up this book I wasn’t sure if it was for kids or adults. But now that I have read it, I’m still not sure! Then again, maybe that is the point.

Terry Deary is certainly best known for his ‘Horrible Histories’ series and they definitely are aimed squarely at children. This book (and potential series) has a similarly childish cover and is told in the same flippant, humorous, scattergun style of informing the reader as the children’s series but is just a touch more sweary and has prostitutes in…

But at the end of the day, this title is well researched, informative and engaging and is probably perfect for ‘young adults’ who have enjoyed but outgrown Terry Deary’s books aimed at younger readers. However, for those used to serious history texts the elements and style of this title that will appeal to the author’s fans could, I imagine, become a little wearisome; but I enjoyed it!
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George
4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining and humorous look at the country's wonderful egalitarian tradition.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 October 2019
Terry Deary is of course most famous for his ever popular Horrible Histories series which contain interesting details and a large amount of information along with humorous pictures. Although aimed at children they do also appeal to adults and I wonder how many both young and old have gained an interest in history by reading his books. Here we find Deary looking at British history from the bottom up rather than from the usual presentation deriving from the history of Kings and Queens and the powerful.

Although the writing is light hearted and humorous it nevertheless contains a multitude of facts and information that shows that there has always been an egalitarian tradition in this country that was prone to constant suppression. Revolt in the face of repression is a theme running through the centuries. There is much ground covered here as he also looks at the underside of society with highwaymen, hooligans, forgers and sheep rustlers. Witches, grave robbers and garroters are just some of the other subjects covered in this extensive but always accessible foray into the real often covered up story of the past. Recommended for both young and old this may well lead the reader onto further study.

A review copy was provided by the publisher.
2 people found this helpful
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branman
5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr, sehr lehrreiches Werk
Reviewed in Germany on 26 December 2022
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Und noch einmal nur ein Wort: WONDERFUL! Wie gewohnt hat Terry Deary ein Thema aufgegriffen und es bis ins Detail "duchgearbeitet"! Diesmal allerdings für geschichtsinteressierte Erwachsene, die sich auch nicht scheuen, die eine oder andere englische Vokabel nachzuschlagen. Apropos "schlagen": Dieses Buch ist, wie auch der zweite Band "LIVES", unschlagbar gut!
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Lewis Bennington
3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad
Reviewed in the United States on 6 March 2021
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Good history, terrible humor.
2 people found this helpful
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