30th April 1812: "General Ludds" men conduct a raid for arms at Dungeon, near Huddersfield

On Thursday 30th April, Clement Dyson was up late. It was 1.00 a.m., and suddenly his blood froze as he heard a knock on his door. He had been on edge ever since the recent disturbances in the Huddersfield area had reminded him of the time in mid-March when his premises had been raided by Luddites. Even though he was away at the time, his wife's Hannah's stories about that night sent a chill down his spine.

He grabbed a gun he kept near the door, stood behind it and spoke:

"What do you want at this hour?"

A voice replied "General Ludd has sent us for your Gun and Pistol and we must have them immediately!"

His heart sank - Luddites again! - but he also felt defiance and said, "I have the gun in my hand and if any man enters my house he shall have the contents of it."

A reply came back "if you shoot at anyone, yourself and family shall be corpses in ten minutes."

By now Hannah stood at his side with his pistol, but as he turned to face her, she wrenched the weapon from his hand and before he could do anything, she opened a nearby window and dropped the guns through it. She had faced the Luddites the previous month and never wanted to face them again.

Dyson could hear many footsteps briskly moving away and he decided to get a better view. He ran upstairs and found the nearest window. Peering out into the night, the moonlight helped him to estimate that between 20 and 30 men were retreating from his property.

27th April 1812: Raid for arms at Crosland Hill, near Huddersfield

On Monday 27th April a local farmer, Thomas Pearson, was almost ready for bed at his home on Crosland Hill. Just before 11.00 p.m. he heard a knock at his door. He cautiously approached it and asked who was there.

A voice said "I am Tom Atkinson. I am a Special Constable with a warrant to search your house - if you don't open the door, I'll break it open!".

Pearson was confused and frightened - what would a constable want with him at this hour, and why the threat to use force? He opened the door to find 3 men who barged in. They left not long later with 2 guns owned by him.

23rd April 1812: Mass expropriation of goods at Sandsfield, near Carlisle

At 10.00 p.m. at night on Thursday 23rd April, up to 700 people assembled on a common a mile from Carlisle, They were armed with various types of weapons, and eventually proceeded to Sandsfield (now known as Port Carlilse), where they boarded a ship in the harbour. The ship was laden with all kinds of provisions, and the group helped themselves to as much flour, cheese and bacon as they could carry to their homes

20th April 1812: Colonel Clay informs the Home Office of the state of Manchester & the surrounding towns

Manchester
20. April 1812
½ past 11 o’clock. P.M.

Sir

In consequence of information I received from the Police Office at a late hour last night, I occupied the points previously agreed on for the protection of the Provision warehouses before seven o'clock this morning, which had the desired effect. The Town has, however, been in a most disturbed state all day; so much so, that it became necessary to read the riot act this afternoon; & towards Evening, to call out the whole Garrison for the purpose of dispersing the mob & clearing all the Streets; which has been attended with some difficulty, but affected without material injury to any one.

In the midst of the tumult here, expresses arrived from Ashton, Middleton, & Eccles — with requisitions for Troops—. At the former place the mob plundered several shops in the town & demolished the windows of the Inn — at the latter, the people had assembled & evinced a disposition to Riot; but at Middleton, the mob made a most daring attack on the works of Mr. Burton, who has nobly defended them, & shot five of those wretches on the spot. I sent immediate assistance to him, & have since heard that all is quiet there: but to Ashton & Eccles I could not spare a man; as I am fully aware that the disturbances in the neighbourhood are principally intended to draw off the force from hence.—

I have also been informed that the People at Worsley have been very riotous today; but I have nothing official from thence.

A great number of people have also been levying Contributions on different Gentleman's families at their Country Residences in the Vicinity of Manchester this morning.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant

JG Clay – Colonel
Commanding at Manchtr

The Right Honble
The Secretary of State
Home Department
&c &c &c

17th April 1812: Further disturbances at Carlisle

The Times of 23rd April 1812 reported that the disturbances there, which had commenced 11 days earlier, were still continuing with the following item about the events of 17th April:

On Friday night, a body of about 300 men and women, the men armed with guns and pitchforks, proceeded to Dalston, about four miles from Carlisle, and broke open the warehouses of Messrs. Richardson and Dugdale, and carried away hams, bacon and flour, to the amount of 500l. The military immediately marched to disperse the rioters, and succeeded in taking into custody about forty, chiefly girls. The plan of the rioters appears to have been organised, as they had scouts stationed to watch the movements of the military; for long before the soldiers could reach the place of destination, the ringleaders, with the greatest part of their associates, had decamped with their booty through the fields, and, it is believed, lodged it safely in their homes. The horse are at present patrolling the streets, and the 55th regiment are under arms.

15th April 1812: More unrest in the Stockport area

An air of tension still prevailed in Stockport on Wednesday 15th April, the day following large scale disturbances there.

A large number of people assembled upon Cheadle Heath. The Times carried a report of the meeting:

'Letters of the same day [16th April] represent the meeting of the Luddites, the day before, on Cheadle-Heath, to have been held, not merely with a view to the outrages which immediately ensued, but also for the purpose of arranging future operations on a larger scale. They were assembled with a party of weavers, the majority of whom had been discarded for misconduct. Several harangued the mob, and induced them, it is said, to elect a body of delegates to hold "a second Congress." They spoke of sending deputations to other manufacturing districts; and in the mean time, until the strength of their friends could be ascertained, they counselled their auditors to avoid contests with the military, and to confine themselves to nocturnal depredations. It is stated, that at this meeting, which they determined their "First Congress," they determined upon an immediate attack of the manufactory of Messrs. Bury and Co. but were prevented in consequence of its being guarded by soldiers.'

After a while, the large group dispersed into smaller parties. The Stockport solicitor John Lloyd was later to recount how many of these smaller groups set about 'levying contributions in the Country at Gentlemen's Houses'. The Chester Courant had details of one such 'levy':

'One party called at Sharston Hall, the residence of Mr. Worthington, (of the house of Worthington, Baxter, and Co. Manchester) who distributed to them bread, cheese, and ale: after which, the villains, to show their gratitude, broke all his windows.'

6th April 1812: Disturbances in Cornwall

On Monday 6th April 1812, one of the first areas in England to experience disturbances owing to the high price of staple foods was Cornwall. There is little easily-available information on what took place, save for a newspaper report and a letter from Truro Magistrates to the Home Office, which offer some interesting contrasting accounts.

An edited extract from the Royal Cornwall Gazette, 11th April 1812:

The multitude of poor miners and their families who live from hand to mouth, is great—their demands urgent—and the impulse of hunger is a dreadful impulse. We observed last week some symptoms of commotion among those poor people. The first and most pernicious effect of which was, to alarm the farmers and dealers in grain, potatoes, &c. and to check the open sale and free circulation of provisions through the country; and, the action and reaction of the two evils heightening each other, till Saturday and Sunday last, the workmen at several of the mines then resolved to stop working till they were supplied;—this (for the reasons we have stated) could not be done at the moment. They assembled in groups of considerable numbers, in the quarter between Redruth and Truro, and then dispersed over the country with empty sacks, to purchase corn among the farmers. On Monday about noon, they began to enter Truro, not in crowds or riotously, but scatteringly. Very few of them looked like fathers of families. Indeed, the far greater part of them were boys, youths, and no small number of bal girls (as the girls are called, who work about the mines) and seemed rather to have come in from the effect of curiosity, and idleness; having been thrown idle by the stopping of the works, at the instigation of some of those amongst them, who are not distinguished for the best conduct on other occasions. However, we must do them the justice to say, that we could not have conceived so many of them would quit their work under such circumstances, and shew less of irritation, or do so little mischief. We are not singular, we apprehend, in this opinion. The precautionary measures taken, and the apprehensions they gave rise to, formed the most serious part of the business. The leading men in most of the populous parishes, had already, as we have said, exerted themselves to meet the evil, and on the 3d inst. a meeting had been held in Redruth, where the Rev. Hugh Rogers presided, where the following resolutions were adopted;

The parishes of St. Agnes, Gwennap, Illogan, Stithians, Camborne, Redruth, Kenwyn, Kea, Perran-zabuloe, and Perran-arworthal, with any other Parish that shall think it right, are respected to join in a plan to relieving the distresses of the Poor, and with that view to assemble in their Vestries, and make choice of two Persons from each Parish, to form a Committee for the purposes hereafter stated.

That the first Meeting held at Gray’s Hotel, in Redruth, on Tuesday the 14th instant, at eleven o'clock in the morning precisely

That the subject for their consideration shall be whether any, and what, we may be recommended for lessening the consumption of Corn, either by greater economy in the use of it, or by introducing substitute, or by a general saving in private families, or by any other plan that may be advisable.

That this Meeting do strongly recommend the planting of early Potatoes throughout the neighbourhood.

That this Meeting do also strongly recommend the raising Subscriptions in the several Parishes, for the general relief of the poor.

That this Meeting do also press on those Parishes who have not yet purchased any Barley, the propriety of purchasing without delay.

The next duty of Magistracy was to protect property and preserve the public peace, and that, rather by awing the turbulent, than contending with them. With this view, our worthy High Sheriff signed an order for the march of a part of the Monmouth and Brecon regiment, under Sir Samuel Floyder, from Falmouth to Redruth; and a circular letter was sent by John James, esq. the mayor of Truro, inviting the several military officers now in Truro (Col. Warren of the North Cornwall Local, Capt. Caulfield of the 32d, Capt Corfield of the Roseland Local, and Lieut. Hicks) to assist in with their men in case it should become necessary. Upon an alarm, that the tinners were committing violence at Farmer Vincent’s, about 2 miles on the Redruth Road, Colonel Warren assembled about 70 of his men with an alacrity that did him in infinite honour, and marched them, accompanied by the Sheriff, the Rev. Mr. Polwnele and the Rev. Mr. Pooley, to the spot, where they found Mr. Vincent generously disposing of his corn at a reduced price—The people then quietly dispersed to their homes. The detail of what they said at one place, and what they did at another, is not worth repeating.—All was quiet to-day Redruth market; where, however, about 100 of the Welsh regiment still continue; the remainder having returned to Falmouth, with the arms of the Stannery Artillery regiment, to be lodged in Pendennis Castle.—A letter received this evening from a respectable friend in Illogan, says, that all the Miners are returned to their duty.—We have heard of a requisition having been forwarded to the Sheriff for a County Meeting, to consult upon measures for their relief; but suspect it is a mistake. All that can be done, is done or doing already. Two large cargoes of American flour now in Falmouth, are expected to be landed there, and several other cargoes are also expected from America, besides Barley from other parts.—The Miners may depend upon it, that the Magistrates are doing all in their power, to relieve them on the one hand; and on the other, to punish the ringleaders in any further disorders, and preserve peace and security at any rate.

On Thursday 9th April 1812,  Truro Magistrates wrote to Home Office to give their account of what had taken place in Cornwall:

Sir

The magistrates assembled at their Sessions at Truro on the 7th now thought it their duty to inform you of the present state of the County of Cornwall and have commissioned me as their Chairman to address you on the Subject.

I am extremely sorry to be obliged to state, in the first instance, that our Crops of the last season, both of Corn and Potatoes are deficient; and it is certain that the labouring Poor, particularly in the populous mining districts have suffered considerably; their complaints are not only of the high price, but also the actual want occasionally of Corn for their money—

The first mark of a disposition to collect in numbers was shewn by the [Sheaming] Tinners in the district near Bodmin, who went to the port of Padstow for the purpose of examining what quantity of Corn was lodged there — They did I apprehend make some search, but there was no act of violence or outrage committed out there were civil and peaceble—

The Tinners in the parishes West of Truro, who are strictly speaking the miners, & [only] far the most numerous remained quiet till the 6th inst when they assembled it large bodies from different quarters particularly in the parish of Kenwyn, parties also came into the town of Truro … The proceedings in this case bore a different Complexion: They carried with them a written paper, which they tendered to the farmers for signature, the purport of which was an engagement on the part of the Farmers to sell their Corn at a price greatly inferior to that of the market, and a sort of attempt was made to fix a maximum price of provisions ….. In Truro they searched one or two Breweries, and small parties begged at the doors of houses.

There were movements of a similar kind at Redruth on the 6th and 7th, the principal object being a search of Brewery situated there … Redruth is situated in the midst of the mines … On the 8th similar movements took place in a district called Roseland which lies to the Southward of Truro and is separated from the mining parishes by the River Fal, a branch of which reaches Truro—

The measures taken by the Sheriff and Magistrates have been as follows: on the 7th the Sheriff at the request of the magistrates apply to the Commanding officer at Penndennis for a Military force, to prevent an attack of the Brewery at Redruth; the Proprietor of which had stated his apprehensions to them — The Officer at Pendennis detached a strong force from the Garrison, (the Monmouth and Brecon Mla) who arrived at Redruth late on the 7th ….. On the 8th no Riot or disturbance took place at Redruth; but on the same day the Sheriff called out a part of the 3d Cornwall Loc. Mila under the command of Col. Warren, who marched into the Parish of Kenwyn for the protection of a farmer there, no disturbance took place at his house; but a neighbouring miller obliged to make application for assistance having been threatened with violence;

The Magistrates on their part have published on the 7th & 8th inst a Paper of which I enclose a copy—

([If the magistrates may be permitted to state any suggestions with a view to future security, they would recommend that a Troop of Cavalry should be stationed at the horse Barracks at Truro,) and 2dly that a Gun-boat should be stationed in the Fal adjoining to the Ferries which lead from the Mining parishes into the district of Roseland: I know that this measure was attended with very salutary effects on a former occasion—]) we are of opinion that the United efforts of the Sheriff and magistrates will be sufficient in other respects for the maintaining the public peace, as they will Certainly act promptly in Conformity with the Concluding sentence in the enclosed printed paper.

I have the honor to be

Yr most obedient and humble

Sert

R Gregor

Trewarthenick

Near Tregony

Ap. 9. 1812

Rt. Hon the Sec of State - - &c &c &c

It must be noted that the Commanding officer of the Second, Cornwall Mila (myself) supplied Col. Warren with arms accoutrements &c. and ammunition from his depot; and that the Adjutant of the Stannary Artillery removed his ammunition from the depot at Redruth, to the Garrison at Pendennis—the Bayonets also were removed to another Depot. The Monmouth and Brecon militia are the only Troops, as I apprehend, now in Cornwall

20th January 1812: Reward notice for Derbyshire burglars

BURGLARIES,— HIGHWAY ROBBERIES.

REWARDS.

THE Undermentioned Persons are charged with several FELONIES in the Counties of DERBY, LEICESTER, and NOTTINGHAM.

PIERCE COOK, by Trade a Stockinger, about 25 years of age, stands 5 feet 10 inches high, very stout made, sallow complexion, light brown hair, remarkably active, and a fast runner, usually carries a pair of bright Pistols in his breeches pockets, and is a Deserter from the 2d Regiment of Foot Guards.

JAMES TOMLINSON, alias FRUZ, rather handsome, and by trade a Stockinger, about 26 years of age, fair complexion, stands about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, stout made, had large dark whiskers, which are in part cut off, light grey eyes, pimpled face, light brown hair, and a genteel appearance; supposed to have in his company a young Woman, also of respectable appearance, who is not his Wife. She has very black hair and eyes, and dark eye brows. He is a deserter from the 45th Regiment of Foot, and the Derby & Warwick Militias; frequently wears a drab coloured top coat with a pocket on the left side.

ANDREW SCOTT, (a Scotchman) alias THOMAS PURDAY, by Trade a Stockinger, about 30 years of age, very dark complexion, stands about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, rather stout made, and large whiskers, which come under his chin, has black hair, and speaks the Scotch dialect very broad; wore a dark brown lapel’d coat, worsted cord breaches, and light spotted waistcoat. Is a Deserter from the Derby Militia, and was tried for Burglary at the last Worcester Assizes.

JAMES HOWITT, alias JOB ALLEN, alias JAMES TYLER, a Stockinger, about 30 years of age, long nose, sallow complexion, dark brown hair, stands 5 feet 7inches high, slender made, and rather of mean appearance; is a Deserter from the Derby Militia, in which he was enrolled for the Parish of Stanton by Dale, in Derbyshire, by the name of Job Allen.

JOHN STRINGER, alias THOMPSON, a Stockinger, about 25 years of age, very ruddy complexion, sturdy whiskers, and light hair, stands about 5 feet 8 inches high, rather stout made, and at times wears a dark coloured top coat. Was tried at Worcester with SCOTT, alias PURDAY.

WILLIAM WELLS, ALIAS BLACK TOM, a Stockinger, about 32 years of age, a tooth out before, very dark complexion, black hair, stands about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, rather stout made, and of mean appearance. Is a Deserter from the 2d Regiment of Foot Guards, and several other Regiments.

Whoever will lodge any of the above Offenders in any of his Majesty's Gaols, and give information thereof to the Magistrates of any of the before mentioned Counties, shall receive a Reward of

FIFTY POUNDS,

On Conviction, over and above such Rewards as they may be entitled to under the Prince Regent's Proclamation, and the Act of Parliament.

Derby, 20th Jan. 1812.

9th January 1812: Reward notice for Wilsthorpe burglary

BURGLARY.

ONE HUNDRED POUNDS REWARD.

WHEREAS on Monday morning the 6th instant January, 1812, about half past Two o'clock, the House of Mr. THOMAS THEOBALD, of WILSTROP, in the county of Derby, was broken into by three Men armed with Pistols, and robbed of Forty-five pounds in Notes, Thirty-six Shillings in silver, three Silver Table Spoons, eight Silver Tea Spoons, one pair Silver Sugar Tongs, all the best Linen, Wearing Apparel, and a Cheese.

Notice is hereby Given,

That a Reward of THIRTY POUNDS is hereby offered by the Inhabitants of Wilstrop, and a Reward of TWENTY POUNDS by the principal Inhabitants of Breaston, (in addition to the FIFTY POUNDS Reward offered by the Prince Regent,) to anyone giving Information of the Offenders, to be paid on Conviction.—And if one of the Parties concerned will impeach his Accomplices, he shall on Conviction be entitled to the above Reward, and the best means used to obtain his Pardon.

The Robbers were well-dressed;—one was a lusty Man, and had on a dark-coloured Great Coat, light-coloured Breeches, and Stockings and Shoes. The others had dark coloured Coats, (not Great Coats,) like coloured Breeches, and had on Stockings and Shoes. Each had a Handkerchief tied round the Neck and lower part of the Face as high as the Mouth. They were young Men, apparently from twenty to thirty years of age.

7th January 1812: Derbyshire burglar, Thomas Draper, committed to Derby Gaol

On Monday 7th January Thomas Draper, a Derbyshire Framework-knitter originally from Heanor, was committed to Derby Gaol. He had been charged with committing burglary at the home of Samuel Hunt, of Ockbrook Mill on the 22nd December 1811. The arrest and committal of Draper would later prove to be highly significant.

7th January 1812: Burglary at Wilsthorpe, Derbyshire

At 2.30 a.m.on Monday 7th January, 3 men broke into the home of the well-to-do Mr Theobald of Wilsthorpe in Derbyshire. Gaining entry through the kitchen window, they made their way to the parlour, where Theobald slept - Theobald awoke to find a pistol aimed at his head, and threats of death hurled at him, if he tried to resist. Two of the burglars went upstairs, making similar threats towards Theobald's daughters, and proceeded to search the house for valuables, with which they later escaped.

2nd January 1812: Reward notice for burglary at Lewcote Gate, West Hallam

FIFTY POUNDS REWARD.

BURGLARY.

WHEREAS a Number of Persons did in the Night between Saturday the 21st, on Sunday the 22d days of December instant, break and enter the Dwelling House and Shop of Mrs ELIZABETH HANDLEY, at Lewcote Gate; in the Parish of West Hallam, in the county of Derby, and did feloniously carry away from thence a considerable quantity of Shop Goods, together with all the Money in the House.

Notice is hereby Given.

That a Reward of FIFTY POUNDS will be paid on application to MR. BIRCH, of Smalley, to any person who shall give such information as may lead to the Discovery and Conviction of the Offenders.

Description of Three of the Robbers, who with Handkerchiefs tied over their Faces, and armed with Pistols, entered and plundered Mrs Handley's Bed Room.

One was a remarkable muscular man, & stood about 5 feet nine or 10 inches high, his legs and thighs were uncommonly strong and fleshy. He had on a light-coloured jean coat much resembling a shooting jacket; a very light-coloured pair of corduroy breeches, which appeared too straight at the knee, being unbuttoned; and a pair of ash coloured stockings. His step was very firm and heavy.

Another appeared a stripling, about 5 feet, 5 or 6 inches high. Had on a pair of breaches either of cloth or Jean, a dark coat, unlike stockings; his hands appeared rather delicate.

The third was in the middle stature, and dressed apparently the same as the last mentioned person; and both of them wore glazed hats.

ARTICLES, &c. STOLEN.—Cash and notes the amount of £6 12 shillings, and upwards.—Several pieces of ancient silver coin, among which were South Sea Shilling, and 13 pence halfpenny piece.—One gold wedding ring, filed into two—One gold ring, set with a large square diamond, and marked in the inside of the ring with the letters (M.D.)

FROM THE SHOP.—1 hundredweight of sugar, tied up in pound and half pound packets. Several pounds of tea. About four stone of soap. Upwards of 1 hundredweight of rice. About six pounds of tobacco. A roll of blue cotton. Some handkerchiefs. One pair of worsted stockings – and considerable quantities of flour, meal, bacon, cheese, butter, bread, and candles.

26th December 1811: Reward notices for burglaries at Locko Grange & Ockbrook Mill

ATTACK ON LOCKO GRANGE.

December 23, 1811.

A most violent Attack was made about 8 o'clock last Night, on the House of Mr. JOHN BRENTNALL, at LOCKO GRANGE, in the county of Derby, by Eight or more Persons, two of whom with their Faces blacked and armed with Pistols, entered the House, but in consequence of the spirited Resistance of the Family, retired without effecting their villainous purposes.

One of the Men about five feet nine inches high and broad set, Is supposed to have his Head, Face, and Neck muck injured in a struggle; and another Man about six feet high is supposed to be wounded by a Bill Hook; the other Men who did not enter the House, as far as could be distinguished from the darkness of the night, appeared to be above the common size.

A REWARD OF FIFTY POUNDS

Has been offered by his Royal Highness the Prince Regent on the Conviction of

EACH PERSON

Concerned in any Outrages of the above nature, and a free Pardon in case the Person giving such information as may lead to the Conviction, shall be liable to be prosecuted for the same.

---

BURGLARY AT OCKBROOK.

ABOUT Three o'clock on the Morning of Monday the 23d of December, 1811, a number of Persons supposed to amount to Twenty or more, attacked and broke into the House of Mr. HUNT, at OCKBROOK MILL, in the county of Derby, and forcibly took from thence Thirty-five Notes, out of which Twenty or more were Of One Guinea value, the other of One Pound each; they also took a quantity of Copper Coin, two ruffled Shirts, a loaded Gun and a Powder Flask.

Two out of the above number there is every reason to suppose were begging in Ockbrook and its Neighbourhood on Saturday the 7th instant, under the pretence of relieving the distress'd Framework-knitters.

A REWARD OF FIFTY POUNDS

Has been offered by his Royal Highness the Prince Regent on the Conviction of

EACH PERSON

Concerned in any Outrages of the above nature, and a free Pardon in case the Person giving such information as may lead to the Conviction, shall be liable to be prosecuted for the same.

25th December 1811: Burglary at South Wingfield Park

Late into the evening of Wednesday 25th December, a Derbyshire Hosier - Mr Topham of South Wingfield Park - got a surprise he hadn't bargained for.

Several men entered his house that night, all in disguise. They demanded to examine his stocking frames. Having done so, they then proceeded to search the house for money, eventually taking away £62. Topham was also the Poor Law overseer for the Parish, and the men took away the poor records with them.

22nd December 1811: Burglaries by "Lud's Men" in Derbyshire

In the week prior to the evening of Sunday 22nd December 1811, there had a been a raid on a farmhouse at Stanley in Derbyshire by a group of armed men. They took all the money in the property, as well all the linen they could carry.

The same pattern would be followed that night, and in the same neighbourhood, but with an increased level of violence.

By 8 p.m. that night, the family of a farmer, John Brentnall, at Locko Grange had retired for bed, all except their son, when two men with blackened faces and armed with pistols broke in. Outside were at least eight other men, keeping watch. One of the men pointed his pistol at the head of Brentnall's son who reacted quickly and snatched the barrel - the other man also aimed his pistol at the son, but pulling the trigger only resulted in a mis-fire. A general brawl ensued between the three, and by this time, the farmer Brentnall himself had got out of bed and rushed down the stairs, and even the serving maid now pitched into the tussle. A savage fight ensued, with one of the raiders taking wounds to his head, face and neck, and the other being wounded by a Billhook. Being outnumbered, the raiders eventually fled.

Five hours later, at 3 a.m. the following morning, at least 20 armed men gathered at the farmhouse of a Mr Hunt at Ockbrook, near to Hopwell Hall. Hunt was a Miller as well as a farmer, and the men knocked on his door, asking him to come downstairs to address their concerns about the price of his corn. They seemed to want him to sign an agreement to lower the price since their families were starving, but Hunt refused to come out. Growing increasingly frustrated, the men forced the door open. Hunt used a gun to fire down the staircase, while his wife tried to raise the alarm from an upstairs window. Some of the men outside threw stones at Hunt's wife, and one caught her in the face. Between reloading his weapons, Hunt was overpowered by some of the men, who were inclined to kill him, but they eventually agreed to spare him. The rest of the men searched the house for all the money they could find - £37 in notes, some copper coins, two ruffled shirts, a loaded gun and a gunpowder flask. The men called themselves "Lud's men", and promised that what had taken place that night "was only a beginning".

22nd December 1811: Burglary at Lewcote Gate, West Hallam

At 1 a.m. on 22nd December, the home and grocery shop premises belonging to Elizabeth Handley at Lewcote Gate, West Hallam, were broken into by a number of men, whose faces were covered with handkerchiefs. Gaining entry through the shop, 2 of the men confronted Handley in her bedroom, holding a pistol to her head, while the third went through her belongings, taking all of her money as well as a diamond ring. They warned her not to raise the alarm, and then joined the other raiders in the shop downstairs. The burglars set about helping themselves to the contents of the shop, including all of Handley's cowslip wine and even cooked bacon on the fire. After spending an hour eating and drinking, they took a horse from a neighbouring field and made off. The horse, which belonged to a neighbour of Handley, a Mr Chouler, was found the following morning a mile away, near to the toll bar at Ilkeston. The only trace of the raiders was an empty bottle of cowslip wine, which was found half a mile from Handley's house.

Over the next 2 weeks, South Derbyshire would be beset by a series of burglaries, of which the raid at Handley's home and shop would be the first.