Reading - Now is the Time

(February - March 2017) 

Now is the Time by Melvyn Bragg 

This book describes the first and biggest uprising in English history. During summer in 1381 thousands of angry men and women invaded London led by Walter Tyler, a former soldier and the radical preacher John Ball. The young king of England Richard II had reason to be fearful. The plague had returned and people refused to pay draconian taxes. The rebels demanded freedom, equality and the complete uprooting of the Church and state. For three days it looked as if peasant's revolt would succeed. However, the forces of reaction closed in and rebels were dispersed. The leaders were arrested end executed. 

 

Justification

I bought this book this year in England when I was looking for a story that would help me to understand British history better. I wanted a book which would describe an historical event with a story of a man. It helps me to remember facts. On top of that it widens my vocabulary.

 

Reflection

With help of this book I stopped confusing these two words: 

cease and seize

The author tells the rebels' story so he uses the letter word nearly on each page.

There are some more words that I learn:

 a obsequy (burial)

a ridiculous sycophant (bootlicker) and a fawning (servile) fool 

petulant (morose)

the town rose up against him (vs. raise)