Walworth was a wealthy London salt-fish merchant and in 1370 was elected sheriff. Four years later he began his first term as mayor. After young King Richard II came to the throne in 1377, Walworth led London’s opposition to John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, who dominated Richard’s government. At the same time the mayor frequently made large loans to the crown.
Upon the outbreak of the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381, Walworth—then in his third term as mayor—failed to prevent the rebels from entering London. Accompanying Richard II to a meeting with Tyler at Smithfield on June 15, Walworth argued with the rebel leader and then struck him down. According to some versions of the events, Tyler was merely wounded in this attack, and Walworth later had him dragged from a hospital and decapitated. Richard knighted the mayor for his services.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Matt Stefon, Assistant Editor.