Chapter Twenty Six - Riots

(originally not in chapters)

The mob of Nottingham has always been a combustible and dangerous thing. It was active in the time of the civil war, and was equally willing to heap abuse upon Colonel HUTCHINSON or blows upon such as the poor minister, PALMER, who at a later date was imprisoned for holding conventicles. It repelled with a high hand the first advances of the Wesleyan Methodists, and loaded the preachers with the foulest expressions of contempt.

But the favorite source of riots has been the iniquitous or supposed iniquitous dealings of the shopkeepers and the country people. At Goose fair, 1776, the first cheese riot on record occurred in the market place. In the affray, William EGGLESTONE, of Car Colston, was unintentionally shot by the military.

The first serious riot in the lace-trade occurred in 1779, and in the subsequent years affrays were numerous.

On May the 12^th, 1788, the shambles were destroyed by a mob, indignant at the high prices of butcher's meat.

In 1791 a riot arose in consequence of the "Oxford Blues," a regiment then in the town, being sent out to interfere with a peaceful assemblage of two-needle stockingers from the country, who were met to arrange some dispute with their employers. The "Blues" were routed; and so unpopular were they with the townspeople that soon afterwards they were obliged to depart.

On May the 12^th 1792, and two following days the town was in disorder: the high prices of butchers' meat had again excited the townsmen.

The riots consequent upon the French Revolution arose from a spirit first manifested in 1792, when Mrs. CARTER, the hostess of the Sun inn, Pelham street, received a letter threatening that her house would be burned if she continued to harbour the democrats.

In 1793 the riots broke out fiercely, and continued during 1794-5. The tory party, assisted by ignorant men, pursued a wicked and licentious career, in which they were even countenanced and aided by the mayor. In these riots several lives were lost, a common practice being to duck democrats till they were almost dead.

Provision riots took place on April 18^th, 1795; in April 1800; on the last day of August, 1800; and in September 1812.

On the 11^th of March, 1811, the Luddite outbreaks were inaugurated at Nottingham. With a view to quell these unlawful proceedings a large military force was introduced; two London police magistrates and numerous officers were brought down to aid the civil authorities; a secret committee was formed, and plenty of cash provided for the purpose of obtaining private information; while the regent issued a special proclamation. But the offers of the secret committee were treated with contempt. The vigilance of the local and metropolitan police were set at defiance. The military powers in vain tried to stay the progress of devastation. And in February, 1812, more than six hundred frames were in fragments.

In October, 1831, the riots which proceeded the adopting of the Reform bill were originated, principally by the bang of vagrants assembled at Goose fair, who, anxious for devastation and plunder, joined the ranks of the discontented reformers, and led them to the commission of acts which otherwise might never have disgraced Nottingham. The first outbreak occurred on Saturday, the 8^th of October. The chief sufferers in these riots were Mr. HEDDERLEY, druggist, Mr. C.N. WRIGHT, senior, Long row; Mr. BRADSHAW, wharfinger, Leen side; Mr. SHARP, miller, Mansfield road; Mr. NORTH, cheesemonger, Charlotte street; Mr. WARD, druggist, Bridlesmith gate; Dr. MANSON, Stoney street; Mr. COOKE, grocer, Chapel bar; Mr. LOWE, hosier, Pilcher gate; and the "Journal" office, Long row. On Monday, the 10^th, the mob devastated Colwick Hall, and before leaving it set it on fire, although it fortunately escaped: Mrs. MUSTERS, who had been ill, along with her daughter and a young French lady, lay concealed under the foliage of some thick spreading laurels in an adjoining shrubbery while the hall was being despoiled of its most valuable contents. Returning to the town flushed with success and wine, they made an unsuccessful attempt to force open the House of Correction; then arose a cry "To the Castle!" Thither they hastened, extinguishing the gas lights by the way; two entrances were forced, one by the gate, the other in the wall; and at seven o'clock smoke issuing from the Castle proclaimed the accomplishment of their diabolical outrage. Rain fell in heavy showers; but when the authorities arrive it was soon perceived that all efforts would be unavailing, and between nine and ten o'clock the conflagration had reached its height. About midnight the fire began to subside; and the following morning saw this once splendid mansion a roofless shell. The corpses of two children, drawn into danger by curiosity, were found dreadfully mutilated among the smoking ruins. Next day the rioters burned Mr. LOWE's silk mill, at Beeston, and perpetrated some minor outrages. On Wednesday business was resumed.

On April the 25^th, 1837, in consequence of the hosiers reducing the already miserable pittances of their silk glove men, a disturbance took place - the workman's wives and children levying "black mail" in the provision shops.

The Nottingham chartists held their "National Convention" on August, 12, 13, and 14, 1839; but their rebellious designs were frustrated by the magistrates, aided by the military.

At the election of 1841, as in many previous elections, alarming fights took place between rival "lambs."

In August 1842, the chartists made a miserable attempt, attended by violence, "to promote a general strike until the document know as 'the people's charter' became the law of the land."