''Kill all the gentlemen'': class struggle and change in the English countryside

The modern countryside is the result of centuries of environmental change, but also brutal class struggle. While Wat Tyler's Peasants' Revolt is well known, and Jack Cade and Robert Kett are remembered for their rebellions, there are countless lesser known struggles. Modern agriculture, the food we eat and how it is produced, is a direct result of these historic struggles. Martin Empson's new book rescues these forgotten moments of history and places them in the context of the political and economic changes that have taken place over the last 700 years. "The modern English countryside is the result of centuries of environmental change and brutal class struggle. Modern agriculture, the food we eat and how it is produced, is a direct result of these historic and frequently overlooked battles. Martin Empson rescues these forgotten moments of history. From the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 to the Pilgrimage of Grace and Robert Kett's rebellion; from protests against enclosure and food riots to Captain Swing and the Tolpuddle Martyrs - here is the story of how rural labourers resisted the development of capitalism, fought to control their land and labour and eventually built trade unions to fight for their rights"--Back cover The modern countryside is the result of centuries of environmental change, but also brutal class struggle. Modern agriculture, the food we eat and how it is produced, is a direct result of these historic and frequently overlooked battles. Martin Empson rescues these forgotten moments of history. From the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 to the Pilgrimage of Grace and Robert Kett's rebellion; from protests against enclosure and food riots to Captain Swing and the Tolpuddle Martyrshere is the story of how rural labourers resisted the development of capitalism, fought to control their land and labour and eventually built trade unions to fight for their rights.