The Maillotin Uprising (1382): A Revolt Against Taxation in Paris

By 1381, the common people of France, already financially devastated by years of war with England, had attempted an abortive uprising against excessive taxation. The following year, in 1382, widespread anger over yet another new tax led to the Maillotin Uprising in Paris, named after the lead maillots (mauls) carried by the rioters. This revolt quickly escalated into an open rebellion, targeting officials, tax collectors, and Jewish communities, before being violently suppressed by the royal government.

Causes of the Uprising

• Long-term financial devastation from the Hundred Years’ War had burdened the lower classes with ever-increasing taxes.
• The Parisian population had already shown signs of unrest in 1381, protesting their unfair share of the tax burden while the nobility remained largely exempt.
• The final trigger in 1382 was the imposition of yet another tax, leading to a full-scale riot in Paris.

The Riots and Spread of the Insurrection

• The angry crowds took to the streets, armed with lead maillots (large mallets), giving the uprising its name.
• The rebels targeted:
  • Tax farmers—those responsible for collecting and profiting from the taxes.
  • Jewish communities, who were often associated with moneylending and financial administration.
  • Prisons, which they stormed and opened, freeing detainees in Châtelet prison.

Royal Response: Negotiations and Crackdown

• Fourteen-year-old King Charles VI, guided by his Council of Twelve, initially attempted to negotiate with the rebels.
• Despite these efforts, the insurrection continued, leading to the arrest and execution of its leaders.
• The royal army ultimately crushed the rebellion, imposing harsh punishments on the insurgents.

Aftermath and Consequences

• The unpopular tax was abolished, a temporary concession to public discontent.
• However, as retaliation, the monarchy withdrew all significant support from the Parisian municipal government, effectively suspending its autonomy for nearly 80 years.
• The Maillotin Uprising became a cautionary tale, demonstrating both the power of urban revolts and the harsh consequences of defying royal authority.

The Maillotin Uprising of 1382 was one of the most significant urban revolts of medieval France, fueled by economic hardship, resentment toward taxation, and anti-Semitic violence, ultimately resulting in a brutal suppression and the long-term decline of Parisian municipal influence.