The Chartist Movement had significant popular support in Birmingham from 1838 and there was a good deal of local involvement in its establishment. Thomas Attwood, MP for the town, was a key supporter and was responsible for sending out the first National Petition in 1839. In May of the same year the Chartist National Convention moved from London to Birmingham and its members were, according to The Charter, ‘enthusiastically received’, by a crowd of around 30,000.[1]These numbers should be treated with some caution; newspapers in support of the Movement could be prone to exaggeration, whilst some mainstream journals could tend to either underplay or sensationalise figures. Further evidence of popular support for Chartism in Birmingham can be seen in a private letter written by a Captain Munrow in 1839, claiming that ‘the working men of the town are Chartist to a man’[2]
The Bull Ring was, and remains, Birmingham’s central market area and the ready-made crowd made it an obvious choice for political addresses. Meetings of a Chartist nature were reported as having begun in January 1839, initially with little organisation or interest, but gradually growing in popularity across the first half of the year.[3]By May, there was increasing concern about the nature of the meetings, which were now taking place twice daily. Evening meetings often concluded with noisy parades around the town and intimidation of opponents of Chartism became more prevalent. Local businesses complained to authorities of the impact the protests were having on their trade. Dispersal notices were posted in the Bull Ring, but meetings continued through the summer.
On July 4th, 1839, sixty Metropolitan Police officers were dispatched from London at the request of Mayor William Scholefield. The local constabulary was fairly ineffectual in dealing with the Chartists. Attempts to bolster the numbers of the local force with a volunteer body of Chelsea out-Pensioners also proved futile in the face of growing unrest. The Northern Star suggested the Birmingham constabulary was little more than a ‘limping, hopping, hobbling set of old pensioners.’[4]Scholefield had felt he had no option than to approach the Home Office for assistance. When the officers arrived in Birmingham, Scholefield, fearing an escalation of violence, ordered them to remove their swords. This was a prudent request that likely prevented much bloodshed. On entering the Bull Ring, they attempted to seize flags and banners. Within minutes skirmishes turned into mass violence as the Riot Act was read. Dragoons soon arrived from the local barracks, but unrest continued through the night. Two police officers were removed to the General Hospital with abdominal stab wounds and numerous arrests were made.
The following morning a placard appeared in the town, decrying the actions of the town council for banning Chartist gatherings in the Bull Ring. Describing an attempt to ‘keep the people in social slavery and political degradation’ the placard was signed by William Lovett and John Collins, both prominent Chartist activists.[5]Authorities responded quickly and the two were arrested and charged with sedition. Both later served a twelve-month sentence on that charge. As tensions escalated further there was a growing national concern at the potential for insurrection, with a strong focus on events unfolding in Birmingham.
An unpopular 8pm curfew was imposed in the town as the London police became an unwelcome visitor. Locals were stopped and searched for potential weapons on a daily basis, often having the tools of their trades confiscated. The Times reported that ‘prompt measures adopted by the authorities…had the most beneficial effect’, but that there was a determined body of Chartists present in the town who were ‘resolved to…carry on war to the knife’.[6]On July 8thsoldiers and police combined to cut off all exits from the Bull Ring before undertaking a violent attack on members of the public gathered there. The Spectatorclaimed that:
Men, women and children were thrown down and trampled upon, while the Police beleaguered them left and right. Broken heads and arms, with other severe wounds, were the result…the Police have made themselves so unpopular here that it is the opinion of many that there will be no peace in Birmingham so long as they are left in it.[7]
By mid-July Birmingham was in a ‘state of high and dangerous excitement’[8]It was a strange action on behalf of the Mayor to stand down police and magistrates on the evening of July 15th, given these circumstances. On this day news reached crowds gathered in the town that Collins and Lovett had been released on bail. A large group of locals headed towards the Warwick Road with an intent to meet them. However, they turned back when a rumour spread that the London police were again attacking people in the town. This sparked an outpouring of anger and frustration that led to full-scale riot, including looting and firing shops in the Bull Ring. Firemen were attacked and prevented from attending as terrified residents escaped their homes down ladders. One man was killed at the hands of the Dragoons. During a House of Lords debate the following day, The Duke of Wellington claimed that he had never seen such outrages during his military career, stating that:
this town, one of the largest and greatest manufacturing towns in the kingdom, containing property to an immense amount, and one of the most respectable populations in the country, has been treated like a town taken by storm.[9]
The magistrates’ lack of decisive action was subjected to a government enquiry and, in September 1839, the Birmingham Police Act was introduced as a direct result of the July disturbances.
There were numerous prosecutions following the riot of July 15th. Three men were initially sentenced to death. However, following a public outcry these were commuted to transportation for life. They were sent to Tasmania on the Mandarin, along with John Frost and others associated with the Newport Uprising.
By Donna Taylor.
[1]The Charter, May 19th, 1839
[2]Birmingham Archives, Heritage & Photography, MS 3087, ‘Private letter from Capt. Munrow, July 1839’
[3]‘Report of the Committee appointed by the Town Council, September 3rd1839, to investigate the causes of the late riots’ (Birmingham: H.Hudson, 1840)
[4]Northern Star, July 6th, 1839
[5]The Morning Post, July 8th, 1839
[6]The Times, July 8th, 1839
[7]The Spectator, July 13th, 1839
[8]‘Report of the Committee’
[9]Hansard, HL Debate, 16thJuly 1839, Vol. 49, cc.370-85
