Labour Litigation in the Court of Common Pleas in the Fourteenth Century

In the second half of the fourteenth century, English labour legislation gave rise to a mass of litigation in the court of Common Pleas. This paper draws on a database of nearly 2000 pleas enrolled in Hilary term every five years, with cross-reference to a further 800 pleas enrolled in other legal terms, to shed fresh light on the labour market and economy during a pivotal period in the nation's history. It analyses the nature of pleas and counter-pleas; provides an estimate of the total number of pleas and suggests reasons for a decline in numbers after 1380; examines the start date and term of service contracts; identifies the status or occupation of claimants and defendants; and assesses the mobility of labour in the countryside and towns. The paper considers the extent to which such legislation contributed to provoking the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 and the impact of the Revolt on subsequent labour litigation.