Harelle

Quick Facts: Who was Harelle?

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Harelle

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A major series of popular revolts in France (Rouen and Paris) triggered by re-imposed taxes during the Hundred Years' War.

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Origins & Early Life

The Harelle (French pronunciation: [aʁɛl]; from haro) was a revolt that occurred in the French city of Rouen in 1382, followed by an uprising a few days later in Paris, as well as numerous other revolts across France in the subsequent week. France was in the midst of the Hundred Years' War, and had seen decades of warfare, widespread destruction, high taxation, and economic decline, made worse by bouts of plague. In Rouen, the second largest city in the kingdom, the effects of the war were particularly felt. Tensions had been building nationally for nearly a year following the death of King Charles V in 1380; on his deathbed he repealed many of the war taxes he had previously imposed. With their re-imposition months later, a localized revolt, led by Rouen's guilds, occurred in the city and was followed by many similar such incidents across France.

Career & Major Achievements

The new king, Charles VI, accompanied troops led by his uncle and regent, Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, from Paris. Paris itself revolted shortly after the army left the city. The duke's army quickly turned back to crush the rebels in Paris before resuming its original march to Rouen. The leaders of the Harelle in Rouen feared execution on the scale that occurred in Paris and resolved to not resist the army. Twelve leaders of the revolt were executed, the city was stripped of its independent councils and placed under royal governorship, and a fine of 100,000 francs was imposed.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Despite the victory, the King was unable to re-enforce the taxation that prompted the Harelle and would spend much of the new two years suppressing other revolts that had sprung up in its wake. The Harelle was one of many popular revolts in late medieval Europe, including the English peasants' revolt of 1381 one year earlier, all part of a larger crisis of the Late Middle Ages. Charles V, King of France died in 1380 and on his deathbed repealed all of the royal taxes at the suggestion of his confessor, to better prepare his soul for the afterlife. France was in the midst of the Hundred Years War with England. The kingdom was entirely dependent upon heavy taxation for the prosecution of the war effort; their repeal led to an immediate suspension of fighting as there was no money to pay for it.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1380: 1380 Milestone — Tensions had been building nationally for nearly a year following the death of King Charles V in 1380; on his deathbed he repealed many of the war taxes he had previously imposed.
2. 1381: 1381 Milestone — The Harelle was one of many popular revolts in late medieval Europe, including the English peasants' revolt of 1381 one year earlier, all part of a larger crisis of the Late Middle Ages.
3. 1382: 1382 Milestone — The Harelle (French pronunciation: [aʁɛl]; from haro) was a revolt that occurred in the French city of Rouen in 1382, followed by an uprising a few days later in Paris, as well as numerous other revolts across France in the subsequent week.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Harelle

True or False: “The primary cause of the Harelle was the initial imposition of new, unpopular tariffs by Charles VI's regents.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While re-imposed taxes were the trigger, the underlying causes included decades of warfare, economic decline, and plague ravaging France.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Louis I of Hungary — Historical peer (Died in 1382) (1382): King of Hungary and Croatia, known for military expansion and Polish union.
• Nicole Oresme — Historical peer (Died in 1382) (1382): Influential French philosopher of the later Middle Ages, known for works on science and economics.
• Bertrand du Guesclin — Historical peer (Died in 1380) (1380): Breton knight and military commander, famed for his Fabian strategy during the Hundred Years' War.
• Catherine of Siena — Historical peer (Died in 1380) (1380): Italian mystic and diplomat whose letters influenced papal and Italian politics.
• Erik of Pomerania — Historical peer (Born in 1381) (1381): King of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, ruling over the Kalmar Union.
• John Ball (priest) — Historical peer (Died in 1381) (1381): English priest central to the Peasants' Revolt, known for radical sermons on social equality.

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