What really happened during one of the most dramatic uprisings in English history, and how do we bring the past to life on screen?

Inspired by the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, Paul Greengrass’s film The Uprising (2026) explores a turbulent moment in English history, when thousands of ordinary people rose up against the powers that governed them.

But how closely does the film reflect the historical events, and what can the surviving evidence tell us about the people who took part?

Join Dr Herbert Eiden, Professor Andrew Prescott and Dr Louise Rodwell for a special panel discussion exploring the history behind The Uprising (2026), the people and places involved in the Peasants’ Revolt, and the challenges of representing historical events through film.

The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 was a defining moment of popular resistance in medieval England. Through the major research project The People of 1381, historians have brought together a comprehensive database of those who participated in the revolt, uncovering new insights into the individuals and communities behind this extraordinary event.

Drawing on the project’s findings, the panel will explore what we know about the revolt, how its participants can be traced through historical records, and the challenges of balancing historical accuracy with dramatic storytelling in film.

A selection of original records relating to the Peasants’ Revolt from the Essex Record Office will also be on display, offering a rare opportunity to encounter the historical evidence first-hand.

Dr Herbert Eiden

Herbert Eiden did his PhD on the history of the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 at the Universität Trier (Germany) and was research assistant in the project The People of 1381 from 2019–2023.

Herbert’s expertise is in social and economic history of the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period. He is the County Editor of the Victoria County of Essex.

Professor Andrew Prescott

Andrew Prescott is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow, School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow and an expert on the history of the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381.

Andrew was formerly Curator of Manuscripts in the British Library and Digital Transformations Theme Leader Fellow for the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Dr Louise Rodwell

Louise Rodwell completed her PhD in the creative commemoration of the First World War at its centenary.

Her expertise lies in memory studies and public history, and has examined how tools such as virtual technologies, digital storytelling, and the visual arts can work to engage people with heritage and histories in everyday life.

Watch The Uprising 

Join us for a screening of The Uprising (2026) at Firstsite Cinema and experience the story that inspired this discussion on the big screen. 

*Warning: This discussion may contain spoilers.