Final answer:
The belief by French peasants that the king's army was about to sweep across the country was known as The Great Fear. Peasants took up arms during this period of unrest and plundered the lands of the nobility, leading to widespread rioting and violence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The belief by French peasants that the king's army was about to sweep across the country was known as The Great Fear. During this period, peasants were fueled by rumors that outsiders sent by the nobility were going to raid their lands, leading to widespread unrest, riots, and violence. Peasants took up arms and plundered the lands of the nobility, burning medieval papers and stealing grain.