15th June 1816: Two men committed to Nottingham Gaol for Luddite attack at New Radford

On Saturday 15th June 1816, two men - John Chettle & Thomas Glover - were committed to Nottingham Gaol accused of takig part in the recent Luddite attack at New Radford. They would both stand trial at the forthcoming Nottingham Assizes.

Their trial would be one of the most extraordinary spectacles in British legal history.

11th June 1816: Henry Enfield reports the recent Luddite attack to the Home Office

Sir

With great Regard I sit down to report to you, for the Information of Lord Sidmouth, that the Luddites have again commenced their lawless outrages. Last Sunday morning about two oClock a party of them, consisting of about four or five & twenty, attacked, at the same time, two adjoining Houses at New Radford, in the immediate vicinity of Nottingham, broke to shivers the outer-Doors, & went up Stairs into the workshops, where they destroyed a great number of very valuable Lace-Frames, & a large quantity of Lace. They flashed a pistol at the woman of one of the Houses, who threw open the window, & upon her shutting it they sent a Volley of Stones at the Windows – They were in the Houses nearly half an hour – frequently using the word "Ned", & when they had completed their work of mischief, they mustered before the Door, gave a Shout, fired off two pieces, & then went away — The Daughters of the woman of the House before alluded to, spoke with great certainty to two of the persons engaged, & the two men are in Custody. on Saturday night they are to be again examined before the Magistrates of the County

The revival of these dreadful Scenes has, naturally, excited strong expectations of their early repetition; & the magistrates of Nottingham have in consequence been actively employed in making the [best] police-measures for their suppression – but the facility with which these practised Banditti heretofore so generaley eluded Detection, rinders the watching for them an almost hopeless Task — It is impossible that we should be without apprehension of popular Tumult, when we look at the unemployed & dreadfully distressed State of the Bulk of the frameworkknitting mechanics in this Town & neighbourhood. At present however there is not anything overt

They have been preparing a petition to Parliament for the redress of some alleged Grievances in the manufacture; & may, perhaps, be allayed by the expectation of Relief.—

Under these lowering appearances, it is a Source of great comfort & satisfaction to the magistrates, to see the military Strength in Nottingham so competent—They beg that Lord Sidmouth will be pleased to continue to them this important Force (which may be said to be constantly operating in Check) untill the prospect [shall] brighten—

I am
Sir
Your most obedt Servant
H Enfield
Nottingham 11 June 1816

[To] Jas. Beckett Esq
U. Secry of State
&c &c &c

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.

30th December 1812: Rising number of Luddite incidents in Nottinghamshire

The 2nd January 1812 edition of the Morning Post carried an article dated Wednesday 30th December 1812 which related the increasing number of Luddite incidents that had taken place in Nottinghamshire over the last month:

RIOTS IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

NOTTINGHAM, DEC. 30.—No less than eight violent outrages have been committed at Beeston, New Radford, [Watnall], Arnold, and Mansfield, and in some villages on the south side of the Trent. The objects of these attacks have been the destruction of frames; at each place the outrages have been put into execution by numbers of disguised men, armed with pistols and swords, using personal violence on the individuals of their revenge, threatening their lives if they open their lips; and after placing guards over these unfortunate people, destroyed their frames and then escaped undiscovered.

In the town of Mansfield, poor woman, on denying a frame demanded by this lawless banditti, was stabbed in several places, afterwards knocked down, and left for dead. Several of the depredators, who committed the outrage at [Watnall], have been taken, and committed to the jail in this town. A large meeting of the Magistrates of the county has taken place, and the strongest measures resorted to, to provide against these disorders. The Watch and Ward Bill is to be put into force immediately. The military have been again called on, the same as upon former occasions, to guard over the property of the inhabitants, and every other precaution, as patroles, &c. &c. &c.

13th December 1812: Stocking frame broken in New Radford

Whilst the attacks by Nottinghamshire Luddites were nowhere near on the same scale as 12 months previously, they were continuing since being revived in November. On Sunday 13th December 1812, a stocking frame was broken in New Radford by Luddites after working for less than the agreed prices.

19th January 1812: Multiple Luddite attacks in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire villages

On the night of Sunday the 19th January, a number of Luddite raids took place across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, in places by now familiar and unfamiliar with the Luddites.

Four frames were destroyed at New Radford, including a high quality silk frame. The Nottingham Review reported that this frame was employed in making silk stockings for the Price Regent. The rentier of the frame complained to the Review that he was not working for low prices (i.e. wages) and had been making stockings for 20 years.

At Ruddington (nowadays home to a Framework-knitting museum), up to 3 frames were destroyed.

At Linby, expectations of an attack were high, so much so that a group of stockingers had agreed to keep watch in the village. But at midnight, and with no signs of anything taking place, they decided to go home. Not long after, the Luddites chose to make their attack, and up to 20 men entered the house of a Charles Shipley. 3 men stood over him, two with pistols and one with a sword whilst the others destroyed the 10 warp lace frames (2 of which belonged to him) in his workshop within 10 minutes. The Luddites also took away the pieces of cloth being worked on, and destroyed some of Shipley's crockery and furniture. The cost of the broken frames was estimated at £200.

At Cotmanhay in Derbyshire, up to 9 plain cotton frames were destroyed, and at Swanwick in the same county, 11 similar frames were destroyed.

14th January 1812: Frames broken at New Radford and Sneinton

A number of frames were damaged at New Radford in the evening of Tuesday 14th January: they beonged to a Mr Slater, who opened the door expecting to be confronted with his apprentice but instead found a sword pointed at his breast. The Luddites cut the warp from the frames and took away parts of the machinery necessary for its function.

On the same evening, 2 plain cotton frames were broken by Luddites at Sneinton, the Hosier being accused of paying 'abated prices'.

13th January 1812: 4 lace frames destroyed at New Radford - an anatomy of an attack

A detailed description of 2 Luddite raids at New Radford was published by the Nottingham Review of 17th January 1812:

"On Monday evening, about six o’clock, eight men entered the house of Mr. Noble, at New Radford, in various disguises, and armed with different instruments of destruction; and whilst one remained below to take care Of Mrs. N. the others proceeded up stairs to demolish four warp lace frames, because they were making what is called two course hole. In vain Mr. Noble informed them that he was receiving eightpence a yard more than the standard price. “It was not the price,” they said, “but the sort of net that they objected to," and he was forced out of his frame with the blow of a sword, which narrowly missed his head, and cut asunder nearly the whole of the threads across his frames. The screams of his wife (which a severe blow on the head .with the butt end of a pistol could not still) brought him down to her assistance, where he found a neighbour, who had come in at the back door to their aid; and who in conjunction with Mr. N. seized the man in the house, and attempted to disarm him; but he, finding himself in danger, called out “Ned Ludd,” when his companions rushed down stairs before they had demolished the fourth frame, to his rescue; and, in the scuffle, one of them snapped a pistol, which happily missed fire. When their companion was liberated, they found the door fast; but they cut it in pieces in a few seconds, and forced their way through a collected crowd, threatening destruction to any one who should attempt to oppose-them. The same night they went to a house on the forest-side to demolish two warp lace frames, for the reason above assigned; but on the man and his family putting up the most tender entreaties for mercy, (the frames being the product of his own diligent industry,) and giving his word to make no more of that sort of net, his frames were spared; but with the most horrid threats of vengeance if he did not keep his promise. "

11th January 1812: One lace frame broken at New Radford

On the evening of Saturday 11th January, one lace frame was broken at New Radford.

4th January 1812: Attempted assassination at New Radford

On the evening of Saturday 4th January, an attempt was made to kill a Constable at New Radford. The man was asleep when he was roused by voices outside his window - the strangers called out to him that Luddites were in a nearby house and when he appeared at a window fired a shot from a pistol. The shot missed him, but did lodge in his window frame: the assassins fled.

23rd December 1811: Frames broken in various Nottinghamshire villages

In the evening of Monday the 23rd December, 2 to 3 stocking frames were broken at Radford, 1 warp lace frame 'of great value' was destroyed at New Radford, and the ironworks of 3 stocking frames were stolen from a house at Hucknall Torkard. The Nottingham Review pointed out that the ironworks constituted nine-tenths of the frames value.

3rd December 1811: A narrow escape for Luddites in Nottingham & frames destroyed in New Radford

At 9 p.m. on Tuesday the 3rd December, Luddites were in the process of destroying a stocking-frame in Rutland street in Nottingham when a magistrate leading a party of soldiers turned up at the entrance to the workshop, having been alerted to their presence. The group fled through window at the back of the workshop onto the roof next door and descended into the yard of the same building. Although the authorities gave chase, the Luddites forced their way into another house and out into the street before making their escape.

On the the same evening, 4 stocking frames were destroyed in New Radford.

2nd December 1811: Frames broken in Nottingham, Sneinton & New Radford

Luddites continued to make incursions into the Town of Nottingham on another night: 2 frames were destroyed in Currant Street, Turn Calf Alley & 1 frame in Warren Court, Old Street.

Outside the town, 2 frames were destroyed in Sneinton and another 5 in New Radford, for the second consecutive night.

1st December 1811: Frame-breaking at New Radford & Nottingham demonstrate Luddite methods

On Sunday evening, 8 frames were broken at New Radford¹, the second consecutive night of frame-breaking there. A report in the Leeds Mercury of 7th December gives a good example of how the Luddites operated and picked their targets in an ordered and disciplined manner:

"They broke only the frames of such as have reduced the price of the men's wages; those who have not lowered the price, have their frames untouched; in one house, last night, they broke four frames out of six; the other two which belonged to masters who had not lowered their wages, they did not meddle with."

In Nottingham itself, 2 frames were broken, 1 at Bullers Court, Narrow Marsh and 1 at the back of South Street².

30th November 1811: Framebreaking at New Basford, Bobbers Mill, Old & New Radford

The framebreaking continued for another night. This time 1 frame was broken at New Basford, 2 at Bobbers Mill, 1 at Old Radford & 1 at New Radford.

29th November 1811: Framebreaking at Beeston, Blidworth & New Radford

The Luddites now felt bold and confident enough to launch attacks in 3 different locations on Friday 29th November.

At Beeston, 18 frames were destroyed, at Blidworth, up to 12 were broken and at New Radford, a lace frame 'of great value' was smashed¹. The Leeds Mercury² had a particularly vivid description of the attack at Beeston:

"on Saturday night a concerted and organized attack was made on the village of Beeston, by about 200 of the rioters, some of whom were armed. The sentinels chosen by the rioters had a watch-word, and when they were all at their post and the watch-word past, they proceeded to breaking the frames of obnoxious Masters. In one house that they entered they found the family at supper, but to this they paid no regard; they seized the candle which was on the table, and immediately rushed up into the room where the frames were, and destroyed them all, and then departed without speaking a word."

The Leeds Mercury³ also reported that an unspecified frames were also broken at Basford on the same evening.

19th November 1811: Threats & tension at New Radford

After threats had been issued and a stone had been thrown through the window of a workshop in New Radford, the local Militia was called out to stand guard over the this and one other house. The Militia spent the rest of the night patrolling the vicinity.