The 14th century was a time of social
class distinctions. Nobility was nobility. Common was common. The two did not mix. One could not expect to be born into the lower, common class and easily move into the higher, noble class. Life was not
structured that way.
Nobles owned the land; peasants worked the land. Most of the common folk did not read or write. Their lot in life was to make things easier for the people with power, money and prestige.
Before the Black Death killed so many people, peasant uprisings were rare. After the Black Death, fewer workers possessed greater ability to express their grievances. They weren’t always met with understanding on the part of the nobles, however. Sometimes - as in the case of Wat Tyler -
execution was swift and without a trial.
A swift end, in those days, was often a blessing. Not everyone who was put to death was able to avoid the kind of
torture common in the Middle Ages.