Document three

John Dunkin's account of the causes of the revolt

…the collector came to Dartford and on entering the house of Walter Tyler, then situated on the north side of the High Street, demanded that his wife pay for herself, her husband, her servant and her daughter. … she insisted that her daughter was a child under the specified age. The lass, a fine young woman, was standing nearby during the argument; when the collector turned, suddenly seized her, and attempted by exposure of her person, to determine her age … The mother and daughter screamed violently, the neighbours came running in, and the news was speedily carried to the father who was at work nearby, tyling a house. Immediately seizing his hammer, reeking with perspiration, he ran home in a rage and asked the collector how he dared be so bold. … irritated by an attempted blow, Tyler struck the collector so violently on the head with his hammer that his brains flew about. The uproar filled the street … and the population of the surrounding district poured into the town. … and Tyler … was elected captain.

From John Dunkin, The History and Antiquities of Dartford, 1844.