1381 Town-gown riots

The riots of 1381 were the worst the town had experienced. The Mayor and burgesses of the town, together with rioters from the countryside, attacked the property of the University, Corpus Christi College, the Carmelite House and Barnwell Priory.

Rashdall claims that the University archives were burnt during the riots. However, Leedham-Green argues that this probably was not the case.

Alarmed by the riots, the King imposed severe penalties upon the town. The burgesses lost the right to govern their own affairs for a year. At the end of this time, most of their privileges were restored, but the control of the assizes of bread, wine and ale remained with the University Chancellor.

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