Riots, Beer and Pillaging - A story from the history of Downham Market
On the 20th May 1816 The Crown Inn was the centre for the Downham Market Riots, one of the bread riots that took place in East Anglia as a result of increased commodity prices and a number of other causal factors. Prior to the Downham Market riots, others had occurred on 16th May 1816 occurred in Bury St Edmunds, Brandon, Hockwold, Feltwell and Norwich.
Between 7AM and 8AM on the morning of the 20th May 1816 a group of around 60 congregated in Southery, as this group marched towards Denver farm workers were pressed into joining the group. Arriving at Denver at 10AM more workers were pressed to join the ranks, allegedly on the threat of hanging. It was in Denver that Sarah More a labouring woman from Hilgay was heard to say the group wanted 'Bread or Blood'. Bread or Blood has since been used as the name of a short film made by students of Downham Market Academy on this very event, and is also the name of the text on the agrarian riots of East Anglia by noted educationalist A.J. Peacock
On that very morning the local magistrates and overseers were meeting in The Crown Inn when one of the farmers who's workers had been pressed warned them of the approaching ranks of workers. Magistrate Dering sent word for the Upwell Yeomen Cavalry to be assembled and found that the local populace were not well disposed at being enrolled as special constables. The Overseer of the Poor was sent to meet with the crowd and heard their intentions of meeting with the Magistrates. He was also told of the pressing of workers against their will before returning to report to the magistrates meeting.
The Crowd Gathered in the Market Place at around 12 o'clock, having en route broken and looted a number of premises of bread and goods. The magistrates determined to make concessions and a deputation of 8 labourers was invited in to address the magistrates. The magistrates deliberated, though their final decision was not taken well by the labourers the magistrates chose to address the crowd in outside asking them to disperse. The crowd had no intention of following the magistrates request and then demanded the release of a gang of poachers recently imprisoned in the town. Stones were thrown and the magistrates were forced back into The Crown.
Stories differ as to the following events, some claim that the crowd 'imprisoned' the magistrates in The Crown until the Militia arrived and dispersed them, others such as A.J. Peacock suggest that the Crowd followed the magistrates into The Crown forcing them to flee. Whilst some of the crowd left the Inn and began rioting and pillaging in the town, others stayed and took flour and other eatables, forcing the landlord Samuel Johnson to hand over 15 gallons of beer which was consumed that afternoon. Rioting and pillaging continued the remainder of the afternoon.
The Clackclose Yeoman Cavalry arrived in Downham Market at around 5PM and the Riot Act was read in the Town Square, with an ensuring period of unrest as the crowd was dispersed, troubles continued until 7PM. Special Constables and the Yeoman Cavalry searched public houses and imprisoned 6 or 7 labourers.
References:
Bread or blood: a study of the agrarian riots in East Anglia in 1816, Peacock, A.J., pub. V. Gonzalez 1965
Wikipedia Ely & Littleport Riots https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ely_and_Littleport_riots_of_1816
Downham Market & District Heritage Society - Discover Downham
Comments
Post a Comment