William Grindecobbe motivated at least in part to rebel as a result of the pressures of papal taxation. Along with Wat Tyler and John Wrawe, he was one of the key leaders of the peasants during the revolt of 1381, leading the townspeople of St Alban's on 15 June. He was executed in 1381 along with John Wrawe and John Ball. His trial and execution was overseen by Henry le Despenser. During the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, he became well known for his actions against the high lord Thomas de la Mare, Abbot of St. Albans. He led a deputation to King
Peasants' revolt of 996 in Normandy grievances. These included Barons harassing the peasants with vexatious services, the main reason however was the removal of hunting rights, lest a deer be killed. Medieval sources claim that the revolt was caused by demands of free hunting and fishing rights. The revolt probably did affect only Seine valley rather than whole Normandy. Dating of the revolt in 996 has been also disputed. The revolt may have been a reaction to rise of serfdom in Normandy. It has been suggested that the revolt resulted in abolishing serfdom in Normandy. Lack of serfdom in Normandy has been also linked to depopulation