CHARACTER CARDS
Asterisks indicate the size and complexity of each part: the more asterisks, the bigger the part.
Wat Tyler****
Feargus O’Connor**
You are one of the leaders of the Great Revolt, 1381, often referred to as The Peasants’
Revolt, a title which annoys you no end. You were probably a soldier before you returned
to Broxley in Kent to work as a blacksmith. You certainly have impressive leadership and
organisational qualities which allow you to marshal so many protesters and rally them at
Blackheath, outside the city of London to put your demands to King Richard and his
nobility. You want:
You are a charismatic Irish Protestant landlord with a showman’s gift of the gab. You become
the leader of the Chartists, a working class movement demanding political reform. You
collect the signatures of millions of people in support of your Six Point Charter and present
petitions to Parliament three times: in 1839, 1842 and 1848.




A reduction in land rents
Abolition of the hated Poll Tax
Charters laying down the rights and privileges of the common people so their
rights are clear and undisputed
Pardons for all protesters
The People's Charter called for six basic reforms to make the political system more
democratic:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
A vote for every man over 21
A secret ballot
No property qualification for Members of Parliament
Payment for MPs (so poor men could serve)
Constituencies of equal size
Annual elections for Parliament
The Revolt is orderly and disciplined until a breakaway group, (Johanna Ferrour among
them), break into the Tower of London and lynch the Archbishop of Canterbury and the
Lord Treasurer Sir Robert Hales. You try to keep control, but end up being stabbed to death
by the Lord Mayor of London, William Walworth in front of King Richard II.
You favour strikes and physical force to achieve your ends. You get arrested and imprisoned
with over 1,500 other Chartist activists.
Costume: decent home-made medieval clothing
You are a real historical person
Costume: high necked collar and cravat, Victorian jacket
You are a real historical person
Violencia***
Horse 1****
You and your sister Persuasia live a comfortable upper middle class existence with your
parents, Benevolent and Deference Patriarch. You want greater freedom and political
equality with men, so you have joined the W.S.P.U (Women’s Social and Political Union)
led by Emmeline, Christabel and Sylvia Pankhurst. You are prepared to take direct action,
like setting fire to letter boxes and chaining yourself to railings to further your cause.
You and Horse 2 turn up at all the popular protests from 1381 onwards and observe what
takes place. You are that most rare of commentators, the unbiased observer with a long term
overview of events. You are analytical and perceptive.
Costume: Victorian corseted dress with high neck and long sleeves
Optional Props: A long chain for lashing yourself to things. A suffragette leaflet,
suffragette sash.
You are not a real historical person
Optional Props: Suffragette colours/sash for Scene 1.
A banner saying: ‘Solidarity with our Two Legged Sisters’ for Scene 2
Optional Costume: Horse’s head
You are not a real historical person