The Bucket of Beer Rebellion
In 1381, a traveling merchant in modern-day Belgium accidentally spilled a bucket of beer on a local tax collector’s scrolls. The taxman demanded payment for damages and insulted the merchant publicly. The incident escalated until the merchant’s guild staged a violent revolt, dragging the town into full civil conflict.
The so-called “Bucket of Beer Rebellion” lasted weeks and ended with several executions. While taxes and oppression were the real culprits, the spark was foamy and fermented. In medieval Europe, even a spilled pint could drown a whole town in chaos.
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