Tolpuddle Martyrs

Historical Context Note

Litencyc Editors (Independent Scholar - Europe)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.06: English Writing and Culture of the Romantic Period, 1789-1837.
Vol. editors: Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Daniel Robinson (Widener University)

Domains

Strikes and wages

Dates

Date of occurrence 1834-03

Places

United Kingdom (Location)

Resources

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In a climate of government reaction to growing trade union agitation, six farm workers in the village of Tolpuddle in Dorset were arrested for administering unlawful oaths and sentenced to seven years’ transportation in Australia. In fact, their real offence was to establish a branch of a trade union, the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers, as was their lawful right following the repeal of the Combination Acts in 1824. The workers became socialist martyrs. There were large demonstrations in their support led by the Chartists and eventually, in March 1836, their sentences were remitted.

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92 words

Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "Tolpuddle Martyrs". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 February 2010 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=4732, accessed 23 April 2024.]

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