Dream of John Ball Author:William Morris William Morris (1834-1896) was a British artist and writer. Morris wrote poetry, fiction and translated Icelandic. Morris was part of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, and was one of the founders of the British Arts and Crafts Movement. Morris believed that art should be hand made and affordable. He also felt that no one form of art was supe... more »rior to any other. As an artist Morris worked with textiles in weaving, dyeing, carpet making, and wood block printing. His writing often reflected his socialist views. John Ball (c. 1338-1381) was an English Lollard priest who took a prominent part in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. His insistence on social equality brought him into conflict with the Archbishop of Canterbury, and he was thrown in prison on three occasions. He was excommunicated and it was forbidden to hear him preach. His preaching helped spark the riot of 1381. John Ball's Dream describes a dream and time travel encounter between the medieval and modern worlds. Morris presented an alternative view of the Middle Ages, being a positive and progressive period, an unusual position in the 19th century.« less