14th November 1816: Seven knitting-frames damaged in Luddite copy-cat attack in Leicester

In the evening of Thursday 14th November 1816, a Luddite copy-cat attack took place at a workshop in Leicester. Within 2 days, the circumstances had been reported in the Leicester Chronicle of 16th November 1816:

We are sorry to learn, that seven frames, standing in the shop of one Richard Gumley, of this Town, were wilfully damaged on Thursday night. The Magistrates were engaged on Thursday morning in the investigation of the transaction, and we had that a youth of the name of James Lodge, who worked and slept at Gumley’s, has been fully committed for Trial. It is clear from various circumstances, that no other person was concerned with him in this outrage, and there appears to have been no possible motive for it but a pure spirit of mischief or a wish to do something which should be talked about. The shop is a detached building, and situate about eight or ten yards the House. Two other men who lodge at Gumley’s were at work in it until about ten o'clock on Thursday night, and they then went into the House to get their supper and go to bed. Lodge remained in the shop about half an hour after them without any assignable motives, and he should have locked the door, when he left it. They all went to bed, two of them in one room, and Lodge in a separate one, about a quarter before eleven, and in the morning when they got up to go to work, Slaney who went first to the shop found that the door was latched, but had not been locked all, and there were no appearances of force used either at the windows or door; no footsteps were discoverable in any of the adjoining Gardens, nor in any other direction, but from Gumley’s House to the shop. And this was the more observable from the circumstance of snow having fallen during the early part of the night. The mischief was effected by piece of Iron called a Roller belonging to a Frame in the shop which was not in work, and the violence was so slight as to have occasioned little or no noise. The damage is estimated at about 12l. We are glad that this prompt and successful investigation is likely to relieve the Town from what would otherwise have been very pleasant state of feeling.

The Tory Leicester Journal adapted the same report (suggesting it was a local authority press release) the following Friday 22nd November 1816:

A momentary alarm of an unpleasant nature was excited on Friday morning last, in consequence of seven frames standing in shop of Richard Gumley, in a bye lane in the neighbourhood of Churchgate, having been wilfully damaged during the preceding night. In the investigation of the transaction before the Magistrates, it appeared that a youth of the name of James Lodge aspiring to Luddite fame, had in a mischievous spirit committed the depredation, for which he is fully committed for trial. The shop is a detached building, and situate about eight or ten yards the house. Two other men who lodge at Gumley’s were at work in it until about ten o'clock on Thursday night, and they then went into the house to get their supper and go to bed. Lodge remained in the shop about half an hour after them without any assignable motives, and he should have locked the door when he left it. They all went to bed, two of them in one room, and Lodge in a separate one, about a quarter before eleven; and in the morning when they got up to go to work, Stanley who went first to the shop found that the door was latched, but had not been locked, and there were no appearance of force used either at the windows or door; no footsteps were discoverable in any of the adjoining gardens, nor in any other direction but from Gumley’s house to the shop; this was the more observable from the circumstance of snow having fallen during the early part of the night. The mischief was effected by piece of Iron called a Roller belonging to a Frame in the shop which was not in work, and the violence was so slight as to have occasioned little or no noise.

29th October 1816: Luddites break 4 wide frames in Bulwell, Nottinghamshire

At around 1.30 a.m. on Tuesday 29th October 1816, a group of Luddites raided properties in Bulwell, Nottinghamshire, and broke several wide knitting frames.

Reports in the regional newspapers were brief, but one of the targets of the raid, Thomas Carnell, later gave a deposition to the authorities, which is below. Carnell was a frameworknitter & gamekeeper who appears to have let out frames that he owned:

Thomas Carnell of Bulwell Frameworkknitter—About half past one yesterday morning I was alarmed by the Dogs barking in the Stable—I jumped out of bed directly and took up my Gun which was by my bed side, and went to the Window & took the Window Curtain down and endeavoured to raise my Gun in a direction to fire upon the persons in the Yard—It was very dark and I could not see the persons—but I could hear them under the Wwindow, saying “Damn your eyes, come along"—Whilst I stood at the Window which was but for a very short time there were 3 or 4 pieces flashed in the pan from the persons below.—I drew to one corner of the Window and immediately two pieces were fired loaded with Shot, into the Window—The Window was broken & the Shot lodged in the Window Frame and in the room also.—As soon as they had done that, they struck the house door twice as appeared to me with a Big hammer or Hatchet—The door was thereby immediately forced open.—and they ran up Stairs crying come along, bring a light, and they turned to the Shop—and some of them said "Damn his eyes, go and kill him, shoot him", and one of them immediately forced my room door, having a Candle in one hand and a Pistol in the other—and a Handkerchief tied over his mouth and Nose—he never Spoke—he came about half a yard into the room and seeing me he drew back again immediately and drew the door to with his hand, I told him there was nothing there for him, and the first man that came in I would shoot him—he appeared a Broad set man about 5 ft 6 or 7 dressed in a dark colored Coat and light Waistcoat & Hat—I was sitting upon my bed with my Gun presented when he came in—It was primed and loaded but I did not fire, for I was afraid of my life—After the man went out of the room, 3 or 4 of them seemed to be standing at the door, others were in the Shop breaking the Frames, & others were down stairs out of Doors saying "All’s well"—"Those in the Shop were shouting "Damn it break all Wide Frames, don't break Narrow Frames"—None of them spoke to me—I do suspect Summers of Arnold to be one from Voice—but I could not swear to him—They might be 20 minutes in the house & all went away together & at the yard end one of the party called over the numbers, saying 5, 10, 15 &c &c—I suppose this was done instead of calling the names—and that the men answered to the numbers—one piece was then fired off and several others flashed—They went into another part of the Village and broke into an unoccupied house and broke 2 wide Frames, one working to me—They then tried to break into the house of one John Keys—but the door was very strong and did not give way—I left my house with my Gun & went with my uncle & Thomas Marriott towards that part of the Village where the men were gone & I fired off both my Barrels* and shouted and halloed to give the alarm & I believe that this alarmed them and that they went away on that account—My uncle next morning traced the marks of many feet towards Arnold—I went yesterday to Mr. Rolleston a Magistrate to give him Notice— 

The Frames broken in my house were 4 wide Frames, value £40—they Frames were very much destroyed—There were several other wide Frames of mine in Bulwell.— 

30th October 1816.. 

*Carnell is a Game keeper

13th October 1816: Luddites destroy at least 30 Frames at Lambley, Nottinghamshire

At around midnight on Sunday 13th October, a large body of Luddites raided a number of houses in the Nottinghamshire village of Lambley.

The Leicester Chronicle of 19th October 1816 carried a brief article about the raid:

FRAME BREAKING.

On Saturday last, about twelve o'clock, a party of men, computed at one hundred, or more, disguised and armed, appeared in Lambley, a village about seven miles from Nottingham, and destroyed no less than thirty frames. The first house they attacked was Joseph Lovatt’s, which they broke into, and destroyed his frames: while a part of them were engaging in this business, another part, called Thos. Needham out of his bed, and threatened his life he did not obey the call (the men frequently fired pistols in the streets, so that nearly the whole village was in a state of consternation and alarm). Under the influence of fear, he came down and opened the door, and as he was going up stairs again, they fired at him, exclaiming — "damn you, you remember Clumber-street." Fortunately the firing was without effect, and they set a guard over him, while they broke seven frames which were his shop. They also broke the frames which were in the houses of Arthur Kirk, and Joseph Godber, but we have not heard the number broken in each house. What renders this an unparalleled outrage is, that not content with breaking the frames, these depredators proceeded to rifle the houses, and actually took away a large quantity of property, shirts, stockings, and other articles. Various parts of the frames were also taken away. A very active constable was sent over to the place, but no clue has yet been found for the detection of the perpetrators of this outrage and robbery.

The Nottingham Review of 18th October also carried a brief article, with some interesting information about the supposed grievances which had meant certain Hosiers were targeted in particular:

Frame breaking.—Extract of a letter from Nottingham, dated Oct. 16, 1816.—“I am sorry to inform you, that during the night of Saturday last, the village of Lumley, about six miles from this place, was visited by a large number of persons, armed and disguised, under the command of the invincible General Ludd, who addressed his forces in a short speech, on the nature of the service they were then employed upon, and then dividing them into small parties, ordered them to their respective posts.—They immediately commenced the work of demolishing a number of lace and two needle frames, in different parts of the village, belonging to various hosiers in this place. In some of the houses, they broke and destroyed every article of furniture, taking away with them knives and forks, and provisions of every description.—These nightly depredators went to the house of a person named Needham, who was the prosecutor of Simpson, executed for highway robbery, last Lent Assizes, and they told him “they came to punish him for swearing against Simpson!” The number of frames broken is not exactly ascertained, but certainly they amount to more than thirty; and the reason assigned for this outrage is, that the lace frames were making what is called in the trade, two coats hole; a lace of the worst quality; alike injurious to the workmen, the honest manufacturer, and the public. This disgraceful article has brought the lace of this place into disrepute, and it is that which is generally sold by Hawkers. The two-needle frames are stated to have been making hose of 56 gauge for sixpence a pair, which ought to be 2s. 2d. which is now actually paid by some of the first hosiers in this place.

Finally, the legal deposition of one of the targets of the raid, Thomas Needham, is also interesting:

Thomas Needham of Lambley Fwk, who works to Messrs Rogers and Shaw, states that between 12 and 1, in the night of Saturday the 12th Instant he was awakened by a noise in the Village and a short time after he looked out at the Chamber Window and saw (being moonlight) a number of men disguised Some with Smock Frocks on—some had their Coats turned and one whom they called Ned Ludd, had, apparently a Straw Bonnet tied under the Chin and a petticoat on—they then went to the house of Lovet which is opposite to Needham’s and ordered him "to open the door or death"—he not opening the door they broke it open and destroyed the Frames in the house about 10 or 11 in number—Whilst the Ludds were doing this, Needham called up and armed each of his Apprentices (5 or 6) with a Pitchfork, being determined to defend the Frames in his house, but he then looking through the different Windows in his house and perceiving that every Window was guarded by a Ludd with Fire arms he thought it would be impossible to stand against them and in a short time after they came to his door and demanded "entrance or death"—he then went down Stairs and opened the house door, and as he was returning up Stairs, one of them fired at him but as neither Ball or Shot could be found it is supposed only to have been with Blank Cartridge—they then proceeded into the Workshop on the Ground Floor in which were 9 frames, 7 of which they broke, 5 belonging to Rogers and Shaw, one to Mr. Leaver and one to Rogers—The Ludds did not go up Stairs—after having broken the Frames they proceeded into the House place—and destroyed a quantity of Tea, Sugar &c—Spilt 2 or 3 Panchions full of milk and destroyed the Panchions—Eat a Pot of preserved Black Currants, and stole several articles of wearing Apparel—plated tea Spoons and Sugar Nippers—and on going away they called out "damn you remember Clumber Street" which Needham supposed alluded to his having prosecuted Jas Simpson alias Dann &c who went up Clumber Street to be hanged—The Ludds might be in Lambley about 2 hours.—

Of course, the press would have been unaware - and possibly Needham too - but the authorities knew that Simpson/Dann was a Luddite.

3rd October 1816: Luddites destroy two frames on Woolpack Lane in Nottingham

At 9.00 p.m. on Thursday 3rd October, Luddites struck in Nottingham. The Leicester Chronicle of 5th October 1816 carried a report published in the Nottingham Review:

FRAME-BREAKING.—It is with feelings of regret, we inform our readers of another of those outrages which have agitated and disgraced this part of the country. On Thursday last about nine o'clock, several armed men entered the house of Mr. Winter, in Woolpack-lane, and two of them proceeding up stairs, into the shop, broke two of the frames, belonging to Mr. Seals, in the usual manner while several others in the shop were not injured. Mr. and Mrs. Winter being gone out, there were no persons in the house when they entered but some children, who created an alarm but the alarm was useless, as a number of armed centinels were posted in the street to prevent any interruption. When the work of destruction was accomplished, a pistol was fired, and they all dispersed. It is supposed there were at least fifteen men engaged in the perpetration of this outrage. We must again repeat what we have so often said, that these things ought not to be: being more and more convinced, that if they are persisted in, they will inevitably produce the effect, of driving the trade away from the town, and increasing the load of misery which is always so severely felt. (Nottingham Review.)

25th August 1816: Burglary & frame-breaking near Stapleford, Nottinghamshire

The Nottingham Review of 30th August 1816 reported an incident that had taken place at midnight on Sunday 25th August 1816:

On Saturday night, about twelve o'clock, the house of a person named Bramley, who lives in a lane very near Bramcote-house, in the parish of Stapleford, was entered by a number of thieves, who broke four frames and robbed the house of a quantity of linen, some clothes, and part of a flitch of bacon. These robbers have not yet been apprehended, though we hope they will not escape the hands of justice.

18th August 1816: The Home Office is informed of frame-breaking in Godalming, Surrey

Post office Godalmin
18th Aug 1816

Hon Sir

I take the earliest oportunity of informing you, that late on Friday Night, the 16th or early on Saturday morning the 17th Inst. some person or persons broke into the Fleecy Hosiery manufactory here belonging to Messrs Holland, Waistell, Horton & Co and stole some part and otherwise damaged 6 Stocking Frames, but not to any serious account supposing the depradation had been alarmed soon after he or they entered the shop and by that means made their escape without doing any further damage

at present their is hopes of descovring the people

I believe I am doing right in giving you this information according to the circular Letter I lately recd

I am
Hon Sir your most obedt St
[illegible signature]

29th June 1816: Mass Luddite attack on Heathcoat & Boden's factory at Loughborough

The former factory that belonged to Heathcoat & Boden, in an image from the 20th Century. The building has since been demolished, and an Iceland supermarket stands on the site on Market Street (formerly Mill Lane) (image: Anthony Jarram)

In the early hours of Saturday 29th June 1816, a large group of Luddites undertook a large-scale frame-breaking operation against the Loughborough factory belonging to Heathcoat & Boden. It was the largest operation undertaken in the midlands counties, and the events of that night & the attendant consequences would reverberate throughout the coming months. The Nottingham Review's extensive report of what took place (carried in the Leicester Chronicle of Saturday 6th July 1816) is carried below:

LOUGHBOROUGH FRAME-BREAKING.

We have this week the painful task of recording an outrage of the frame-breakers, which, very far, exceeds any thing of the kind that has ever before happened, since enormities of this description first spread terror amongst us in March, 1811; and being well aware, from the rumours that have been afloat for several days, that our readers would feel the utmost anxiety to learn the particulars of this deplorable catastrophe, we have spared no pains in endeavouring to satisfy them as much as we possibly could, "neither extenuating, nor setting down aught in malice." About a quarter-past twelve o'clock, on Friday night, or rather on Saturday morning last, a number of men, perhaps about thirty, some of whom were armed and disguised entered a small room, called the casting shop, immediately attached to the rear part of Messrs Heathcoat and Boden's lace factory, (formerly Mr. Douglass's worsted factory,) situate directly at the entrance into the town of Loughborough from Ashby-de-la-Zouch. In this small room were John Asher, Thomas Hyman, and John Webster, three of the men belonging to the factory, the former of whom snatched up a pistol, (kept in the room for the purpose of defence,) and pointed it at the Luddites, as they were coming in at the door, but it did not go off. Some of them, in return, instantly fired at Asher, apparently with a blunderbuss, and wounded him in the back of his head, which either caused him to fall, or he was otherwise knocked down. Hyman, being also at the same moment laid prostrate by his side, and Webster, who got out of doors, in the confusion, to try to escape, was quickly brought back again and placed along-side of his two companions. Sufficient guards were then put over the three, and the residue of the gang, with lights in their hands, proceeded, without loss of time, through the large room, called the setting up room, to the bottom of the stair-case, where meeting with a youth named Ambrose Woodford, they knocked down, placed a guard over him, as they had done to the others and then rushed up stairs into the first floor, which is divided into three parts, or shops, containing altogether twenty-three frames, the whole whereof they broke to pieces, having previously secured, in one of the said three shops, James Powel, (commonly called uncle,) William Soars, and John North, in the same manner as their companions below. Ned’s band then directed their attention to the large room above, in which were thirty frames and five men, viz. Joseph Sherwin, Samuel Street, William Squires, John Langham, and Thomas Smith, the first of whom expressed to his associates, a determination to resist the entrance of the invaders into their room, which determination was properly overheard by the latter, for they advanced to the foot of the stairs with terrific boldness, a stern voice calling out, "advance with the blunderbusses—more blunderbusses here." Sherwin's comrades, now fearing that his opposition might endanger the lives of the whole five, prevailed upon him to change his intention, and let them come up quietly, which they then did without delay. No sooner was this accomplished, than the said five were imperiously commanded to prostrate themselves with their faces to the floor, and not to look about them lest death should be their portion, and at the same time guards were fixed over them, as in the former instances of the like nature. This preliminary being settled, demolition itself was then let loose, until to it went the furies. 

After toiling for the space of perhaps seven or eight minutes, they all stopped on a sudden, as if to listen whether all was right below,—the strictest silence reigned for a few seconds: and afterwards one of them vociferated, "All is well, Ned Ludd do your duty well—it's a Waterloo job by God," when instantly they renewed the work of havoc as before, and continued it for almost the same space of time, thus finishing the destructive scene, except their breaking two incomplete frames, in the setting-up room, as they returned through it upon their retreat. Just before quitting the upper room, one of the Luddites said aloud to his comrades, "Ned go round and see that you have done your duty well," and almost immediately afterwards, the prostrate five were thus addressed, "Now men, if you can tell us of any machines that are working under price if it be one or two hundred miles off, we will go and break them." Receiving a negative to this question, they directly quitted the factory, enjoining the men belonging to it, with terrible threats, not to stir for the space of ten minutes, and offering to shake hands with Asher, the wounded man; telling him withal that they hoped he would soon get better, or words to that effect; and we are happy to inform the public that he is now quite out of danger, and fast approaching complete recovery. They have not only thus destroyed the machines, but even the lace that happened to be upon the respective rollers is mostly hacked to pieces. In one instance they tore it away and set fire to it upon the floor, the flames whereof coming near to Street, he shifted a little; whereupon one of them gave him a kick, and bid him lie still as the fire would not hurt him; Squires too, who once rather changed his position to avoid danger, received a violent blow near his left eye; and Langham, and North were likewise struck from somewhat similar motives. In fact, it seemed a particular maxim with them, as we have before remarked, the deterring as much as possible any one from having a glimpse of their proceedings. Independent of the supposed number of nearly thirty who were actively concerned in committing these excesses in the interior of the factory, it is confidently believed that there were not less than fifty or sixty others stationed on the outside in the manner of sentinels or patroles, in every direction, and even along the Mill-street, to within a few yards of the very Market place of the town. Some of these patroles called aloud, warning the inhabitants to keep in their beds, and not to exhibit any lights; in disobedience of which, one person, who endeavoured to go out amongst them, had eight panes directly broken, in one of his windows, and was threatened with death if he did not keep within. About a dozen panes were also broken in the windows of the factory. 

According to the best information we can collect, this daring outrage occupied the space of about forty minutes, and some of the neighbours go so far as to say that the posse were headed by a man on horseback, who halted his men, and called over his numerical list, when they had quitted the premises about 200 yards, as if to ascertain if any were missing; and that shortly afterwards several shots were fired; either denoting triumph, or by way of defiance as they eventually marched away. We have not heard of any thing having been carried off except some fire arms belonging to the factory. On the other hand, we understand, they left two of their own ramrods behind them. It is very difficult, at present, to form any estimate of the amount of the damages, even by the proprietors themselves; we have however been told, by an experienced workman, that he thinks each of the fifty-three complete frames will require, on an average, 80l. to put them in the same state again; this, of course, would make 4240l.—to which if we add, 60l. more, for the injury to the two incomplete frames to make round numbers, the account would then stand at 4300l. Thus, even admitting it to be any thing near the truth, is a serious sum; and yet, it is scarcely worth mentioning in comparison with the general loss: in the first place to the firm by the great delay to their business, whilst the frames are repairing; and in the next place, to near four hundred men, women, and children, thrown out of employ. It may not be amiss to add, that about two months ago, the workmen at the factory received notice that their wages would all be lowered, which caused, what is called, a general turn-out.—Some of them however soon relented this, and went in again at the reduced prices, whilst others were not permitted that privilege. These proceedings had engendered considerable discontent, and it is not improbable, but they may have had some influence with the perpetrators of the deed in question. Certain it is that until this circumstance very few manufacturers, of an equal extent, were carried on, in this part of the kingdom, where the masters, and men more cordially accorded that they did at this. The Magistrates of the division have almost incessantly been since occupied investigating the affair, and endeavouring to bring to justice the authors of it. The town crier even went round with his bell on Sunday morning warning the inn-keepers against keeping their homes open, later than nine o'clock in the evening. Six men, have at different intervals, been taken up, on suspicion, one of whom has since been set at liberty; three remain in custody at Loughborough, & the other two were yesterday at noon sent under an escort from that town to Leicester. Some implements supposed to be used in destroying the machines, have been seized, and are likewise in the possession of the constables employed by the Magistrates in this business. The Magistrates and police-officers in Nottingham, have also been very active, and many houses in this town have been searched on the occasion. A reward of five hundred guineas is offered in the London Gazette, for such information as will lead to the conviction of the perpetrators.—Nottingham Review.

9th June 1816: Luddites destroy 19 Lace-frames at New Radford, Nottinghamshire

On Sunday 9th June 1816, Luddites undertook an action in Nottinghamshire for the first time since September 1814, almost two years.

The Leicester Chronicle of 15th June 1816 carried an article about the attack (most likely from the Nottingham Review):

Daring Outrage.—On Saturday night last, about one o'clock, a party of men, disguised and armed with various sorts of weapons, forced the door of Mr. William Wright, of New Radford, when about seven of them, having obtained a light, rushed up stairs into the workshop, or shops, where they demolished twelve point net lace-frames; and with such vengeance did they exercise their lawless authority, that the frames, which were principally of superior worth, are rendered of very little value. It is very singular, that three of the these frames belong to Mr. Benjamin Topham, of Pentrich, Derbyshire, and were broken about four years ago, in his shop, at that village, along with a number more, two of which have made very little work, and the other none since they were repaired. One of the other frames belongs to Mr. Platts of Nottingham, four to Mr. Wright, and three to Mr, Waynman, lace-manufacturer of Nottingham, who is Mr. Wright's principal employer, and one to Mr. Cole, lace-manufacturer. The loss thus occasioned must be very great; but this is not all, for the depredators, not content with the mischief thus done, very materially damaged or destroyed (principally the latter) about thirty-one yards of net which was upon the frames, and took away six yards. The clock face in the house was struck with great violence with a hammer, and the corner cupboard was beat in pieces. Mr. Wright was away from home. Mrs. Wright and family were kept in their respective rooms while the mischief was going on, but, as these nightly violators of property and domestic repose had twice to go down stairs for a light, the guarded parties had opportunity of seeing them, and they agree in stating that seven men were in the shop, while Mrs. Wright thinks she saw twelve men that stood watch on the outside.—When the workmen, as those, we understand, are called that actually do the mischief, had completed their purpose at Mr. Wright's, they immediately went in the house of Mr. Mullen, close by, the door of which they broke into pieces, and then rushed up into the workshop, where they demolished seven point net lace-frames, six of which belonged to Mr. Waynman above named, and one to Mr. Mullen—one was left uninjured, and is generally understood, from the watchword of alarm being given from without. They also took from Mr. Mullen's, fifteen yards of net and a shirt, and left an instrument behind them like a tomahawk; they also broke the clock. It is proper to state, that the depredators, in order to render their mischief more complete, broke many of the globes, which contain a mixture of water and aquafortis, and which are used by the workmen in winter evenings to add to the brilliancy of their light, and cast the corroding contents upon the frames.—It seems singular, that neither Mr. Mullen nor his wife heard them; the reason assigned is this, which is a very feasible one, and, from the respectability of Mr. Mullen's character, is universally believed—he had more liquor than he usually takes in an evening, which caused him to sleep very soundly, as he had been in bed about an hour: and Mrs. Mullen, who was also asleep in bed, is very hard of hearing. When these daring offenders had completed the object of their violence, they discharged several pistols—shouted, as though in triumph, and then retired. Two persons are in custody on suspicion.

In fact, Topham of Pentrich had been the target of 3 separate attacks by Luddites during their previous heyday in the midlands.

The Tory Nottingham Journal of 15th June 1816 also carried a (somewhat differing) report about what occurred (which, in this case, was reprinted in the Tory Leicester Journal of 21st June 1816):

Frame Breaking.—We had hoped that the fatal rencontre at New Basford, in the Autumn on 1814, had effectually subdued the spirit of Luddism; and that we should hear no more of these criminal excesses, the commission of which had struck terror throughout this neighbourhood, and placed the lives of all who were concerned therein in perpetual jeopardy during the remainder of their existence. Unfortunately this hope has not been realised; and we have this week the painful duty of announcing a partial renewal of that most atrocious system, and the destruction of eighteen point net lace frames, at New Radford.—In the dead of the night of Saturday last a part of men, armed with pistols, &c. (top the number, it is supposed, of 30 or 40), beset the house of Mr. Wright, in Chapel Street, New Radford, and after placing scouts at the different avenues, a part of them forced open the door and proceeded to demolish the frames in the workshop, which they effectually accomplished. Whilst this was carrying on, others of the part  placed themselves as guards over the inhabitants of the house, in their beds, threatening them with death if they offered to stir, or give the least alarm. A woman, however, on the opposite side of the street, being awakened by the noise then attempted to raise the neighbourhood with her cries, but she was compelled to desist, on some stones being thrown at her accompanied by the snapping of a pistol, which fortunately missed fire. The party then made good their retreat, previous to which they broke an eight-day clock, standing in the house. The frames were employed by Mr. [Waynman]. Besides the above frames, there was a narrow frame in the workshop,m which was left untouched.—Whatever hopes might have been entertained from the effects of the petition forwarded to Parliament, this week, praying for a regulation of the trade, &c. it can scarcely be expected that the representations of the Workmen will meet with much respect, when it is known, that a certain body of them continues arrayed in open hostility to the property of their employers and the laws of the land.

13th May 1816: Another Luddite action takes place in Loughborough

Two night after an attack in Loughborough, Luddites went to work in the town again, on Monday 13th May 1816. The Leicester Chronicle of 18th May 1816 carried the following paragraph:

...on Monday last, the shop of Thomas Marriott, framework-knitter, or Thorpe-Acre, near Loughborough, was entered in a similar manner, through the window, and a thirty-two plain guage frame, belonging to a Mr. Wm. White of Loughborough, in a great degree demolished, and carried away.

The Morning Chronicle of 23rd May 1816 added the following:

...there were three other frames in the shop, one belonging to Marriott, another to his son-in-law, and the third to Mr. WALLIS, needle-maker, of Loughborough, but they escaped being injured.

11th May 1816: Luddites destroy a frame in Rushes Street, Loughborough

The Leicester Chronicle of 18th May 1816 reported an action by Luddites that took place on Saturday 11th May 1816:

Frame-breaking.—On Saturday night last, some person or persons opened a sliding casement, and entered the workshop of John Bexon, (commonly called Serjeant Bexon,) framework-knitter, in the Rushes-street, Lougborough, and smashed to pieces the internal part of what is called a thirty plain guage frame, the property of Mr. Norton of that town, framesmith. There were in the shop at that time, a frame belonging to Messrs. Paget and Sons; and two belonging to Messrs. Middleton and Hall; but not the least mischief was done to any of them.—Why this injury has been done to Mr. Norton, seems a little mysterious, for he had nothing at all to do with the manner in which the frame was worked, and to the price, nature of the work, &c.; he was merely the owner of the frame, and is withal a person of such quiet and inoffensive habits as to feel totally unconscious of having an enemy of this much dreaded cast.

The Morning Post of 23rd May 1816 added the following:

A stout truncheon was found in the shop next morning, and also a bar of iron, placed behind the door, as if a resolute defence had been intended to have been made in case of interruption. It will cost near 10l to put the frame in repair again.

17th June 1815: 2 wide glove frames broken in Leicester

Some time on Saturday the 17th June 1815, in a workshop belonging to a Mr. Mason of Leicester, 2 wide glove frames were destroyed by Luddites.

4th September 1814: 16 stocking frames destroyed in Old & New Basford

On Sunday 4th September, just before midnight on the 5th, around 20 Luddites undertook a series of raids in both Old and New Basford in Nottinghamshire.

At the house of Thomas Ford in Old Basford, the group demolished 5 frames. The Luddites moved on to the house of James Smith in the same town, where they destroyed 5 cotton frames.

Moving to New Basford, the Luddites went to the home of Thomas Garton, and destroyed 6 frames there. Within a week, a man had been arrested after Garton gave testimony that he recognised one of the Luddites: his name was James Towle, and he was to become one of the most notorious figures in Midlands Luddism for the next 2 years.

27th July 1814: 7 frames broken at 3 locations in Nottinghamshire

In the early hours of Wednesday 27th July 1814, Luddites launched 3 raids across Nottinghamshire.

Four frames, the property of the well-known Hosier Thomas Hayne, were kept in the workshop of a framework-knitter called Hooton in Sneinton. The Luddites had arrived at 12.30 a.m., alerting Hooton and his wife to their presence when they opened the garden gate. Looking out of the bedroom window, they observed at least 12 men advancing to the house and cried out 'for god's sake, what do you mean to do?' - the response of the Luddites was a familiar one - the Hootons were ordered to go back inside or their brains would be blown out. The Hootons obeyed, but began to loudly cry out 'Murder!'. The Luddites followed this up by firing a shot and throwing a large stone at the bedroom which made the Hootons flee to another room.

In the meantime, the raiding party of Luddites had tried to gain entry to the house, but were met with great difficulty owing to shutters and iron stanchions in front of the windows. The raiders even tried to break down the wall, but eventually gained access by breaking down door. Their rage was by this time so great that they injured a pig kept in the back yard and tried to cut down Hooton's apple tree.

The Hootons were not left alone: their shouting and having locked themselves in a bedroom further enraged the Luddites, who broke the door open and threatened them to sit still and quietly on the bed. Below, every component of the 4 knitting frames were comprehensively damaged and destroyed, and four globe lamps were smashed over the frames, with the aqua fortis (nitric acid) they contained further damaging the remnants. The damage was later estimated at £100.

The Luddites also affected a robbery: £20 of lace was taken away, as well as 2 other machines worth £14, and other property.

The same group of Luddites then proceeded to New Sneinton, and the home of a Mr Cooper. There, a brand-new and unused wide-frame - the property of Messrs Holmes, Edenborough & Co - was broken. The value of this frame was estimated at £120.

Later, the Luddites paid a visit to the home of a Mr Kelsall who lived on Trumpet Street in Nottingham. Two point net frames - one the property of Messrs Cartwright, the other belonging to a Mr Harvey - were destroyed.

By 2.30 a.m., the raids were over and the frame-breaking was complete.

Three rewards of £100 each were later offered for information.

8th May 1814: 4 silk frames broken in Nottingham

William Matthews was a framework-knitters who kept four wide silk knotted frames in his workshop, above his home on Bellar Gate in Nottingham. Two of the frames belonged to a Master framework-knitter called John Bullock who also owned the yard ('Bullock's Yard') where Matthews lived. The other two belonged to the firm Messrs Prith & Co.

At 9.45 p.m. on Sunday 8th May 1814, most of the Matthew's family were having supper when 2 men disguised with handkerchiefs over their faces entered the room they were in. One carried a hatchet, the other a horse pistol. The man with the hatchet took the candle on the table the family were gathered at, and went upstairs to the workshop, followed by the man with the gun. At the same time, another man at the door warned the Matthews family 'stir if you dare and I will blow your brains out', and up to 4 guns were pointed at them from outside. A voice at the door told the Luddites to 'stand fast and do your duty'.

Upstairs in the workshop, the two Luddites proceeded to destroy the 4 silk frames. The noise could be heard outside, and a neighbour John Griffin, who was also a constable, went downstairs and opened his door to find a man standing outside: he was immediately threatened 'take in your head Sir, or damn your eyes I'll blow your brains out'. Griffin was quick to obey.

The destruction of the silk frames took 10 minutes, and the 2 men were careful to leave 3 other narrow frames untouched and undamaged. After the destruction had ceased, the 2 Luddites came down the stairs, wishing the family 'good night' and then all the men left, disappearing into the night.

The damage to the frames was later estimated as being between £20 & £80.

11th April 1814: Five plain silk frames destroyed by Luddites in Nottingham

At 9.00 p.m. on Monday 11th April 1814, Luddites struck in Nottingham. A party of up to 4 men entered the house of George Bateman, on the corner of South Street and Coalpit Lane, in the Meadow Platts area. Bateman assumed they were friends of his son, as they hailed him by his name and asked him how he was. But then, some other men entered: they were carrying swords, and disguised with their coats and jackets turned inside out, all wearing hats with handkerchiefs tied over their faces. As they entered, Bateman heard that his frames were being attacked in the workshop upstairs. Bateman cried out, grabbed one of the men next to him, but the Luddites threw him to the floor, presented their swords to him and threatened to kill him if he stirred.

In the meantime, Batemen's wife had continued to cry out 'murder', and the men upstairs soon came down and left, followed by the other men. Batemen followed them out, but one of the Luddites pointed a pistol at him and threatened to shoot him. Bateman turned back to his house. Upon his return, he found that the five plain silk stocking frames in his workshop had been very badly damaged in the attack.

10th April 1814: Attack on a lace factory at Castle Donington

Number 3-5 Borough Street, Castle Donington - numbers 7-9, which compromised Simon Orgill's factory, are to the right of the picture (Google Street View, January 2009)

Simon Orgill was an entrepreneur in the Leicestershire lace trade. He was notable in the lace trade for pioneering the adoption of the 'Dawson Wheel' into warp lace frames around 1807, essentially mechanising operations that had previously been undertaken by hand.

By 1814, he was the sole owner of a business that rented a number of former farm buildings off Borough Street in the Northwest Leicestershire village of Castle Donington, for use as a factory. No doubt as a consequence of his innovation, the prices (or wages) that Orgill paid his workmen were much less than was the norm in neighbouring Nottinghamshire, and unsuccessful attempts had been made by the Framework-Knitters Union members in Nottingham to enrol Orgill's workmen into the Union and shut down Orgill's business.

In the evening of Easter Sunday 10th April 1814, Luddites had decided to use other methods to achieve these ends, and mounted an attack on Orgill's premises. Arriving around midnight on the 11th, they forced their way into the back of Orgill's house, and went through an internal door into the workshop. Once there, they completely destroyed 11 of the patent warp lace frames kept inside, and partially damaged another. Expensive cotton yarn and most of the lace already completed in the workshop was either cut, burnt or stolen by the Luddites, and they tried to start a fire with the remnants of the yarn on the warping mill, but this did not take hold before it was extinguished later.

Meanwhile, Orgill and his wife had been woken by the noise, with Orgill's wife being first to open the bedroom window and look outside. A Luddite keeping watch on the outside spotted her, and fired a pistol straight at her, the shot missing her by inches.

At the end of the raid, and as the Luddites left, one of them called out "Old Simon, before we leave you, I will have another peg at you" and 2 shots rang out, penetrating the bedroom windows and lodging in the ceiling. There were no injuries.

The value of the lace stolen by the Luddites, and possibly other goods in the house, was estimated at £70, with the damage to the frames being estimated to be between £400-1000. Orgill's business never subsequently recovered.

4th April 1814: The Town Clerk of Nottingham reports an outbreak of framebreaking

Dear Sir,

I am very sorry to inform that in the Neighbourhood of this Town the organized System of Combination among the Frameworknitters has begun to act in the former mode of breaking Frames. Three Frames were the Night before last broken at Kimberley in the County of Nottingham by a great number of Persons who broke into the Shop in which they stood in the Night. The Workman in whose possession they were behaved very well refusing most distinctly to give them entrance which they obtained by absolute force. The Frames belong to Messrs Needham & Nixon who have declined to give the advance and are very intimate Friends of Mr Hooley. We have as yet had no Attempt made in the Town. Since writing my Letter respecting Mr Hooley to you I learn that he has shewn that Letter to a Deputation of the Master Workmen who have reprobated it in very strong Terms. The Officers of the 9th Regiment have communicated with the Magistrates on the Subject of the Swords sold & were assured by them that only 70 were actually sold. I write by order of the Mayor & beg that you will lay this Letter before Lord Sidmouth.

Yours [etc]

Geo Coldham

Nottm 4th April 1814

4th April 1814: 5 stocking-frames broken at Gilt Hill, near Kimberley, Nottinghamshire

At 2.00 a.m. on Monday 4th April 1814, Thomas Morley and his wife were awoken by noises outside their house and workshop in Gilt Hill, near Kimberley, Nottinghamshire.

Morley's wife opened the bedroom window, and looking down she could make out between 5 or 6 people in the darkness. She asked them what they wanted and they replied that they wanted 'to look at Mr Nixon's frames' (Morley rented 4 frames belonging to the Hosiery firm Needham & Nixon, along with another belonging to Charles Allcock, a clerk of the same company). Morley's wife spotted one of the figures holding a hammer and asked if they were out frame-breaking - the figures didn't answer, but asked again to see the frames. Morley called out that Needham & Nixon were 'good masters' to him and that he would not let them in. Morley then cried out 'murder' and received threats from below to kill him if he continued to cry out.

Morley quickly made his way downstairs. The Luddites were already forcing entry to his workshop from the outside, and broke a window, gaining entry. Morley attempted to enter his workshop from the inside - through the door, he could see men disguised and wearing flannel shirts. However, before he could enter properly, the Luddites on the inside forced him back inside and shut the door. They then set about breaking all 5 frames in the workshop, as well as damaging work that was set-up in three of the frames, all of which they accomplished within 4 minutes.

By now in fear of his life, Morley decided not to pursue the Luddites into the darkness.

2nd April 1814: 3 stocking-frames broken at Kimberley, Nottinghamshire

In the evening of Saturday 2nd April 1814, Nottinghamshire Luddites re-commenced frame-breaking.

A 'great number of persons' arrived at the workshop of framework-knitter in the village of Kimberley during the night. They were initially refused entrance, and decided to break in. Three frames belonging to the Hosiery firm Needham & Nixon were broken, and the Luddites departed.

13th November 1813: Frame-breaking returns to the Midlands in Wymeswold

Sometime on Saturday 13th November 1813 - ten months after the last attack, and on the second anniversary of the large action at Sutton-in-Ashfield in neighbouring Nottinghamshire - a number of stocking frames were broken by Luddites in Wymeswold, Leicestershire. The case of the complaint was the employment of 'Colts' or non-apprenticed labourers.