31st August 1816: Daniel Harwood & Thomas Thody are executed at Norwich for their parts in the 'Bread or Blood' disturbances

Two accounts of the execution of the 'Bread & Blood' rioters Daniel Harwood & Thomas Thody appear in the local press, both of which are reproduced below. The executions took place on Saturday 31st August 1816,

The Norwich Mercury of 7th September 1816:

On Saturday last were executed at the Castle Hill, Thomas Moy, for sheep stealing, and Thomas Thody, and Daniel Harwood, for rioting at Downham. They were all of them men of honest and reputable connections, and were brought to their untimely end by Sabbath-breaking—by bad company of both sexes—by occasional intoxication, when in their power—and by following a multitude to do evil. As far as their time permitted, they endeavoured to atone for their former neglect of their duty to God, by assiduously employing themselves in devotional exercises, and there is reason to think that, had their lives been spared, they would have been better men, better subjects, and better Christians; but the prevalence and danger of the crimes for which for which their lives were forfeited and the necessity of making severe examples to deter others from similar crimes, rendered all applications in their favour to the higher powers fruitless. Their behaviour since they were left for execution, was meek and contrite; and they passed their weary hours in reading the Scriptures, in fervent prayer, and in attentively listening to the terms of salvation held out by the Saviour to truly penitent sinners. Having taken a last farewell of their relatives and friends, and an affecting leave of their fellow prisoners, and after being indulged in waiting till the last moment, in the forlorn hope of reprieve, they proceeded to the place of execution.—When the prayers appropriated to the solemn occasion were concluded, they submitted, with manly resignation, to the awful preparations for death. Harwood was first fixed to the fatal tree. Thody was the next sufferer, and he suffered indeed, as far as related to mental suffering: he had hitherto conducted himself with patient fortitude, and with a steady step had ascended the scaffold; but, when the rope was placed on his neck, the remembrance of his wife and children, whom he loudly called upon and deplored, overwhelmed his mind, and with agonising screams he would have fallen in a fit, had he not been supported by the exhortations of the Ordinary and of his fellow sufferers, and by the soothing attentions of those around him, he recovered soon from his fainting state, and stood up firmly while the executioner performed his office upon him and Moy, who was the last tied up. The raised part of the platform immediately fell, and they died with some convulsive struggles, in which Moy appeared to be the longest sufferer. No malefactors ever expired with greater sympathy from the immense multitude, which covered the whole surface of the hill joining the place of execution.—Thomas Moy, aged 32, was born at Guestwick in Norfolk, and has left a wife and seven young children. The pressure of the times had involved him in great distress; and he had undertaken to hire a farm of considerable extent at Binham, to which his circumstances were by no means equal. His relations are respectable, and the crime for which he suffered was the only one which brought him under the sentence of the law.—Daniel Harwood, aged 32, was a native of Gooderstone, in Norfolk, unmarried, and pursued an agricultural mode of life, by occasionally working with his waggon and team in jobs for farmers, as is the custom, in that part of the country where he resided, near Downham. This wandering manner of life led him into bad company, and together with a neglect of his religious duties, at length involved him in the riots which brought him to his untimely end.—Thomas Thody, aged 22, was born at St. Neots, in Huntingdonshire, and has resided several years at Necton, in Norfolk, where his father was coachman to the late Mr. Mason. He has left a wife and two small children.

The Norfolk Chronicle of 7th September 1816:

This day se’nnight, Daniel Harwood, and Thomas Thody, for rioting; and Thomas Moy, for sheep stealing, were executed on the Castle Hill, pursuant to their sentence at the last Assizes, amidst an immense concourse of spectators, who expressed their pity for the unfortunate but guilty sufferers.—The execution not taking place till half-past one, gave strength to the prevalent though unfounded rumour that a reprieve had been received for these unhappy men. Harwood and Moy behaved with great firmness; as did Thody until he was placed under the fatal tree. The recollection of his wife and children, and the horror of immediate death, then overcame his fortitude; he was nearly sinking down under an agony of grief and terror, which he expressed by convulsive shrieks, and was obliged for a short time to be supported by several men. By the admonitions, however, of those attended him on the scaffold, and of his two fellow sufferers, he soon recovered and underwent the last painful part of his sentence with manly resolution. During the short period that intervened between their condemnation, and execution, they received every help and consolation that Religion could afford; and they died with penitence, in the faith of their Saviour, and in a firm trust in the mercies of HIM, who is the great foundation of all mercy!—Moy was in his 33d year, he was born at Guestwick in this county, and his relations are respectable, he was (as we have before had occasion to notice) a farmer, occupying nearly a hundred acres of land at Binham; and has left a wife and seven young children.—Thody who has also left a wife and two children, was 22 years old, born at St. Neots, in Huntingdonshire, and has resided several years at Necton, in this county.—Howard, aged 22, was a native of Gooderstone, in this county, and unmarried.—We are authorised to state, in opposition to a report which has been pretty widely circulated, that none of these unfortunate men, had ever made any profession of religion among any body of Christians; but on the contrary, they acknowledge that they lived in an awful neglect of religious duties, and had been sinking in sin, prior to their commission of those crimes, which brought them to their unhappy end

16th August 1816: The trial of the Feltwell & Downham Market rioters, at Norfolk Assizes

The Norfolk Chronicle of 24th August 1816, carried an extensive report about the trials of those charged with rioting in Feltwell and Downham Market during the 'Bread and Blood' disturbances of the previous May. The trials covered two days, Friday 16th & Saturday 17th August 1816:

TRIALS of the RIOTERS at DOWNHAM and FELTWELL.

Before Lord Justice Lord Chief Justice Gibbs.

Wm. Bell, Amelia Lightharness, and Hannah Jarvis were indicted for having, on the 20th of last May, together with various other persons, riotously into and tumultuously assembled at the parish of Southery, in Norfolk, from whence they proceeded to acts of theft and violence in the town of Downham Market, which were specified by the evidence.

Francis Wiseman stated that she kept a pork and sausage shop in Downham Market; that in the afternoon of the 20th of May, a mob was assembled in the front of her house; that she observed the prisoner, Amelia Lightharness, looking in at the shop window, and that immediately afterwards the same prisoner opened the latch of the door, and brought in several of the mob, telling them, "this was the shop for good pork." The witness further stated, that her shop formed a part of her dwelling-house; that the prisoner Lightharness was the first that entered, and that at her instigation the mob ransacked the shop of the witness, taking away forcibly a quantity of pork sausages. The shop window was broken by the violence of the people.

Maria Palmer, Wm. Buxton, and Zachariah Stebbing severally corroborated the first witness, and the latter proved that all the above named prisoners entered the shop of Mrs. Wiseman, and concurred in the acts of violence there committed.—Bell and Jarvis severally produced evidence of good character. Verdict—all Guilty.

Thomas Thody, Charles Nelson, Daniel Harwood, the same Hannah Jarvis, Elizabeth King, Margaret Jerry, and Elizabeth Watson.

These prisoners were indicted as forming part of the same unlawful riotous assembly at Southery, as before mentioned, and for proceeding to assault Wm. Spinks, at Downham aforesaid, and stealing from his person certain quantity of meal and flour.

Williams Spinks stated that he was apprentice to Mr. Baldwin, a miller, at Downham, and at the time of this riot had the charge of his mill. That on the said 20th of May last, at about two in the afternoon, he saw a large number of persons approach the mill, whilst he was on the road about a furlong off; that upon is coming up to them he they demanded of him the key of the mill, which he delivered to them through the impulse of fear; that the persons so assembled had sticks and cudgels; that upon his delivering them the key the mill, they proceeded to lay violent hands upon the meal, flour, and sacks found therein, some part of which they threw about and destroyed, and other part they carried away with them.

This witness, together with George Gillingham, Susan Stebbing, Pleasance Laws, and Wm. Baldwin, or some of them, identified the persons of all the prisoners, and proved that Charles Nelson was the first to enter the mill. Verdict—All Guilty.

The same Thomas Thody, the same Daniel Harwood, Lucy Rumbelow, the said Amelia Lightharness, Wm. Youngs, Edward Mellon, and William Galley were indicted as parties to the same unlawful and riotous assembly at Southery aforesaid, and having proceeded to Downham, for breaking open the dwelling-house and shop of Samuel Bolton, a butcher there, and stealing therein and carrying away a certain quantity of pork, the property of the said Samuel Bolton, the said Samuel Bolton and another being in the house and being put in fear.

Samuel Bolton stated, that he had on the said 20th of May given to the mob some meat, in the hope of pacifying them; that about five o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, they came in a large body to his house and demanded more, which he said he was unable to give them. Upon this occasion, the prisoners, Thody, Harwood, and a man named Fendyke, who is still at large, appeared to be the ringleaders. Harwood said, if witness did not give them more they would have all there was in the shop.—The shop was shut and witness was standing at the door of his house. To this menace, uttered by Harwood, the witness replied, "he would be damned if they should," and immediately close and bolted the door, and went towards the kitchen, for the purpose of loading two guns, with which he meant to defend his property. Before he had reached his guns, however, the mob forced open the door, and stripped the shop of meat to the value of 5l. or 6l.

These prisoners were all identified as taking an active part on this occasion, by the concurrent testimony of the last-named witness, and Thomas Bolton, Zachariah Stebbing, and Ann Springfield.—Verdict—All Guilty.

The same Thomas Thody, the same Daniel Harwood, Frances Porter, John Bell and John Blogg were indicted as parties to the same unlawful and riotous assembly, and for breaking open the dwelling-house of John Parkinson, in Downham aforesaid, no person being therein, and feloniously stealing and carrying away a quantity of flour, and various articles of wearing apparel, found therein.

Hannah, wife of the said John Parkinson, who is a tailor and baker, and keeps a general shop at Downham, stated, that being terrified at the appearance of the mob, they had, on the said 20th of May last, shut their shop, and retreated to the house of a neighbour. The mob did proceed to Mr. Parkinson’s house and shop, as was expected, and after they were gone away the witness, with her family, returned, upon which they found the house had been broken open, and they missed from the shop hats, waistcoats, shawls, shoes, flour, and other articles.

The evidence of the last witness, corroborated by her daughter Charlotte Parkinson, Richard Gamble, Thomas Mallet Bailey, Wm. Gamble, Charles Smith, and James Weston, was sufficiently clear to establish the charge against all the prisoners except John Bell, who had not been seen in the house, but had been afterwards met with hats under his arm.

The latter prisoner was therefore acquitted, and the others found—all Guilty.

John Sterne was indicted for larceny only, he having on the said 20th of May demanded cheese of Wm. Oakes, at Downham.

Wm. Oakes stated that the prisoner came with a mob and demanded cheese, which he delivered to him through fear, observing at the same time that he himself wanted it as much as they did. Samuel Johnson, the landlord of the Crown Inn, at Downham, stated, that on the same day the prisoner Sterne brought a cheese to his house, and divided it among the mob, who were there assembled. Verdict—Guilty.

The same John Sterne, the said Thomas Thody, and John Pearson were indicted for breaking open the Crown Inn, at Downham, together with other persons, for assaulting the said Samuel Johnson, the landlord, and stealing from his person meat, beer, and other provisions. Mr. Johnson identified the persons of the prisoners Thody and Pearson as having been foremost of the party who first broke in by force, but the prisoner Sterne was not observed by him until he (Sterne) produced a cheese, which was sometime after the forcible entry. Sterne was therefore acquitted upon this indictment. The other prisoners were found both found Guilty.

In addressing the Jury upon the several indictments for riot, the Chief Justice very clearly explained the law to them, that in tumultuous assemblies of this nature, not only the parties which commit any acts of violence are answerable to the law, but likewise all persons who, by joining a mob, give a sanction to their unlawful proceedings, were in the eye of the law equally guilty of any outrage which was committed by any of such mob, with the party by whose hand the fact is actually done. In directing the verdict of the Jury respecting the attack made upon the dwelling-house and shop of Mr. Bolton, his Lordship observed, that if, by any act of the mob, murder had been committed upon the person of Mr. Bolton, or of any of his family, all the persons composing that mob would have been equally guilty; but on the other hand, if Mr. Bolton, in defending his property, had killed any of the persons who made this attack, he would have been justified in doing so. In allusion to the good characters which most prisoners adduced in their own favour, with respect to the honesty and peaceable habits of their former lives, the Judge emphatically observed, that nothing could more clearly shew the necessity of suppressing such disorderly and mischievous proceedings as were subjects of these trials. Persons who had heretofore acted honestly, and had been good members of society, had now, by deluding one another in the vain hope of addressing those grievances which their proceedings only tended to aggravate, evinced their peaceable dispositions by unlawfully assembling to the terror of well disposed persons, and their honesty by forcibly seizing the property of others.

His Lordship further stated, there where facts were so clearly proved as they had been in most of the above cases, the character of the parties ought to have no weight in the verdict of a Jury, although in measuring the punishment of the offenders, their respective characters would not be forgotten. It was in cases of doubt only in which the former characters of prisoners should weigh in the minds of Juries.

John Cracknell, Jeremiah Lawrence, and Thos. Pleasance, were indicted for having, on the 18th of last May, feloniously assaulted Thomas Willett, a shopkeeper, and Feltwell, and having at the same time stolen from his person two Bank notes, of the value of one pound each.—Mr Willett stated, that on the morning of the said 18th of May, he saw a body of people, to the number of from 50 to 100, including boys, collected together in Feltwell; that they stated their intention of proceeding to destroy the Dam, which the witness stated he himself, and, he believed, the whole parish deemed a very desirable measure, as the Dam was considered injurious to the inhabitants. That on the return from the Dam, at about five in the afternoon, they assembled in the front of his house, and on his coming out, he saw the prisoner Cracknell amongst them, who pulled off his hat, and said, "I hope, Sir, you’ll please to give us something." The witness then asked what his neighbour, Mr. Fuller, had given them, and was answered, that he had given twenty shillings. The witness, therefore, gave them a one pound bill; upon which some persons from the back of the mob cried out that they must have two pounds. Mr. Willett then gave another.—In answer to some very pertinent questions from the Chief Justice, Mr. Willett said, he considered the first one pound as an encouragement to the people for their day's work in destroying the Dam; but he admitted that he gave the second through a fear that his windows might be broken if he did not.

John Place stated, that he saw the prisoner Pleasance amongst the mob before Mr. Willett’s house, which he described as a company of people.

John Thorpe saw Cracknell and Pleasance amongst the company of people before Mr. Willett’s house, and saw the notes given by Mr. W. to Cracknell.—On his cross-examination he said, some of the people called at Mr. Willet’s house to know if he thought it right that the Dam should be destroyed; to which Mr. Willett had replied, that "it was a thing that was necessary." That the company of people then said, they should call to be paid for their job on their return.

The Judge then stated to the Jury, that as the counsel for the prosecution did not press this case, they might acquit the prisoners, which was done accordingly.

He then desired that Mr. Willett might not go out of Court, and enquired whether or not the Grand Jury were discharged, and appeared disappointed at being answered in the affirmative.

Upon Mr. Willett being again called before his Lordship, the latter stated, that he should refrain from mentioning names, but there had been few persons in the bar before him, on the several charges for rioting, who had incurred more, in so much blame, as the persons who had been concerned in encouraging the measures of those who had destroyed the Dam at Feltwell. Those were the persons who had given rise to the mischievous consequences that had followed two days after at Downham.

Mr Serjeant Blossett, as the leading Counsel on the part of the Crown, then stated to the Jury, that it was now that he first learned the real complexion of the late disturbances at Feltwell. If such persons as Mr. Willett gave encouragement to the mob, as has been shewn by the evidence, that which followed amongst the lower orders could excite no surprise.—Having convicted the ringleaders at Downham, sufficient had been done to answer the purposes of the prosecution on the part of the Crown, which could only be to shew persons who were disposed to join in such tumultuous proceedings, that those transactions cannot take place with impunity, for that a day of reckoning must come sooner or later.

The SENTENCES.

The Chief Justice now proceeded to pass sentence of transportation for seven years on John Sterne, who had been indicted and convicted of larceny only, in stealing a cheese from Mr. William Oakes, of Downham, the charges against him not having been laid capitally.

This being done, the following prisoners, who had been capitally convicted of rioting, 16 in number, (viz. William Bell, Amelia Lightharness, Hannah Jarvis, Thomas Thody, Charles Nelson, Daniel Harwood, Elizabeth King, Margaret Jerry, Elizabeth Watson, Lucy Rumbelow, William Youngs, Edward Mellon, William Galley, Frances Porter, John Blogg, and John Pearson), were called before his Lordship to shew cause why Sentence of Death should not pass against them to die according to law. The Chief Justice, then, in a very impressive manner, passed that solemn sentence upon them. His Lordship stated, that on account of the good characters which some of them had borne, it would afford him high satisfaction if circumstances should appear to justify him in recommending their cases for a relaxation in the severity of their punishment. Nevertheless, he wished them not to be deluded into any ill founded security. There were amongst them some who had excelled their fellows, and had stood foremost in the execution of their misguided and wicked actions. To these he could hold out no hope. His Lordship concluded by exhorting them all to use well the short time which might remain to them in this world, and to make their peace with Him before whom they must soon appear in the next.

Of the above 16 prisoners who received sentence of death, two only are left for execution, viz. Harwood and Thody. All the others were reprieved.

After the ringleaders had been tried and convicted, the following minor offenders were discharged on giving security for their good behaviour, viz. John Jerry, Harrison Bone, and John Bowers.

17th July 1816: Four jailed for destroying a Threshing Machine at Hockham, Norfolk

At the Norfolk County Session on Wednesday 17th July 1816, 4 prisoners were jailed for destroying a Threshing Machine at Hockham on 19th May.

The Norfolk Chronicle of 20th July 1816 carried a report about the trial:

John Abery, Jas. Bailey, the elder, Peter Palmer, the elder, and Peter Palmer, the younger, were indicted for having, together with other persons to the number of 100, routously and riotously assembled in the parish of Hockham, on the 19th of May last, and then and there destroyed a certain threshing machine, the property of William Burlingham.—The two latter prisoners pleaded guilty. On the part of the prosecution, it appeared, that the prosecutor, Wm. Burlingham, being nearly blind, was rendered unable to work for his livelihood, but having a little money, he had purchased a threshing machine for the price of 76l. which he used to let out to the neighbouring farmers, at a small profit to himself. That in May last, it had been to let out to a Mr. Wells, in the aforesaid parish, and that on the 19th of that month, being on a Sunday morning, the prisoners together with other evil disposed persons had dragged the machine from off Mr. Wells's premises into the high road, where they completely effected its demolition. The prisoners were proved to have taken an active part in the riot. 

Mr. Cooper, for the prisoners, contended that they had not been proved to have committed an unlawful act, and that none of the witnesses had sworn to their dragging the Machine off, the private property of Mr. Wells, but had all found them in the act of destroying it in the public road. It might therefore be presumed that a number of persons passing that way, had found this clumsy machine very much in their way upon the road, and deeming it a nuisance had destroyed it and removed the materials, which the learned Counsel stated they had a legal right to do. An alibi was attempted in favour of the prisoner Bailey, by calling two witnesses who had seen him six yards distant from the spot where the machine was destroyed, but it was not denied that at the time, Bailey was thus far off, the greater part of the mischief had been effected. 

Mr. Alderson, as Counsel for the Prosecution, strongly rebutted the position of law asserted by the Counsel for the Prisoners, the dangerous and fallacious tendency of which was strongly laid down from the Bench in the Chairman's charge to the jury. 

The prisoners were found Guilty; Abery and Bailey, were sentenced each to imprisonment for one year, in Wymondham Bridewell, and find sureties for their good behaviour for two years further; and Peter Palmer the elder, and Peter Palmer, the younger, who had pleaded guilty, were sentenced each, to three months imprisonment in Norwich Castle, and enter into security for their good behaviour, for one year more.

16th July 1816: One rioter imprisoned for Norwich riot in May 1816

On Tuesday 16th July 1816, the Norwich Quarter Sessions commenced & the trials included cases of rioting that took place in the city in May.

The Bury & Norwich Post of 24th July reported the following:

Robert Hatton, the younger, was tried for a misdemeanour, in having, together with other persons unknown, riotously assembled in the Market-place of this city, on the evening of the 17th of May last, and acted in a violent and tumultuous manner. On being called upon for his defence, the prisoner threw himself upon the mercy of the jury, who after a few minutes deliberation, returned a verdict of Guilty, but recommended the prisoner to the mercy of the Court. He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment in Norwich Bridewell.—No true bill was found against Hardy Sheppard, who had been committed for a similar offence.

Meanwhile, the Norfolk Chronicle of 20th July carried the following report:

Robert Hatton, the younger, was tried for a misdemeanour in having together with other persons unknown routously and riotously assembled in the Market-place of this city, on the evening of the 17th of May last, and for having acted in a violent and tumultuous manner upon that occasion. By the evidence of several very respectable persons, it was proved that the prisoner had on the above occasion, distinguished himself amongst the mob by exciting others to assist him in acts of violence, and particularly by endeavouring to frighten the horses upon which the cavalry were mounted, by means of a fireball, at a time when the cavalry were called out to aid the police in preserving or restoring the public peace. On being called upon for his defence, the prisoner threw himself upon the mercy of the jury, who after a few minutes deliberation returned a verdict of guilty, but recommended the prisoner to the mercy of the court. 

He was sentenced to three months present in Norwich Bridewell.  

No true bill was found against Hardy Sheppard, who had been committed for a similar offence.

30th May 1816: Robert Plumptre sends an update on arrests & prisoners at Norwich to the Home Office

Norwich 30th May 1816

Sir,

Having been absent from home, when your letter arrived yesterday, I could not answer it by the return of the post. The Commitments to the Castle of the Rioters from the neighbourhood of Downham are eleven, seven men & four women. The women are all committed for stealing articles of provision &c under favour of the riots; the men are all committed for riotously assembling contrary to the Statute; Of the several cases, I have no means of judging the examinations, remaining with the committee Magistrates, till returned to the tribunal, appointed for Trial of the offenders. Four persons have been also committed to the next Quarter Sessions for destroyed Threshing machines, of whom two are admitted to bail by the committing magistrates. In attending to the security of the Gaol, I shall not fail to keep in mind the directions contained in Lord Sidmouth’s letter to the Mayor of Norwich, of not calling in a military force, till the civil power has been found inadequate. Permit me to say, that I shall be happy it be useful in any respect, that can contribute to the maintenance of the public tranquillity.

I am, Sir,
Your very obedient
Humble Servant,
R. Plumptre

18th May 1816: John Patteson sends another update about the situation in Norwich

Norwich 18 May 1816

My Lord

By yesterdays mail I had the honor, at the desire of our mayor, to give your Lordship a circumstantial Account of the riotous proceedings in this City on friday & of the measures taken by the magistrates to check them—It was thought adviseable yesterday to be in the same state of preparation, more especially as many rumours were afloat of the intention of people from the country to come into the city, which they might have done less observed, it being market day, but none such appeared — in the morning there was a gathering together of boys &c but the civil & military dispersed them & all was quiet at 10 oClock — I have not heard of any meetings on this day & as the public mind is calmed by the reduction of the price of Wheat in our market yesterday of about 10 [shillings] pr. [quarter] – I am in great hopes that we shall have no more trouble with the peoples – Your Lordship will easily imagine that however the want of employment & the increasing prices of flour & bread may have irritated the minds of the people in general, yet that the evil spirit of the last 20 years, however smothered, is not wholly extinguished & it has shewn itself in the imposing language of not calling in the military until it became certain that the exertions of the civil power was unequal to the task—thoroughly convinced that the civil power was unequal the military were called in at dusk & the rioters dispersed from the contents in the pockets of some of the persons taken into custody & information of similar in those who escaped when they found the magistrates [present] I rejoice that by calling in the military, no injury has been done (of consequence) to any individual & but little to lamps & windows—Your Lordship I hope will pardon me and submitting how much it would please the peace of the city & give confidence to the well disposed, if there could be not less at any time tha a troop of horse in our barracks the very sight of them is imposing & they are known to be decided whenever their duty requires decision there is much & valuable property in this City – on thursday friday a flour mill was broken into; part of the power of which it applied to the working of a [felt] mill, the proprietor of which told me contained at the moment property exceeding [£30 a week] – he applied on friday for a military guard & a question on the propriety of granting it was raised amongst the magistrates but fortunately overruled

I wish I could give your Lordship a better account of this City – it always has & I fear always will contain much inflammable matter & can only be kept under by the strong hand of power In this instance certain persons, not amongst the rioters, knew there were but few dragoons in the barracks & that the [West Norfolk Militia] were here for the purpose of being disbanded.

We are much indebted to the military & many respectable inhabitants who will continue to keep a sharp look out & take timely measures to prevent the renewal of such proceedings

I again beg your Lordship’s pardon for troubling you & perhaps stopping some what beyond my immediate duty — the motive of giving you the best information, will I hope plead my excuse — I have the honor to remain

My Lord

Your Lordships

most obedt hble Servt
John Patterson

18th May 1816: The Mayor of Norwich updates the Home Office on the situation in the city

Guildhall Norwich
18th May 1816.

My Lord

I am again obliged to write your Lordship and so acquaint you that the Outrages were so much renewed last Night in the City, that the Magistrates were obliged to read the Riot Act, and to avail themselves of the Assistance of the Military mentioned in my letter of yesterday and also of the Norwich Light Horse Volunteers, with whose Help the Civil Power cleared the markets and the Streets about 10 o'Clock and the Night passed peaceably, but I regret that I have to inform Your Lordship, that from various Circumstance I have determined with the Advice of the other Magistrates (in addition to being prepared with the Civil Power and Inhabitants) to desire that the Military may be kept in readiness this Evening, in Case I shall find it necessary to order them out.

I have [etc]

J. H. Yallop.
Mayor

[To] The right hon.ble Lord Sidmouth

18th May 1816: The Norwich magistrate, John Patteson, updates the Home Office about riots in the city

Norwich 18 May 1816

My Lord,

Mr Yallop, our worthy Mayor, had the honor of writing to your Lordship yesterday, to express to you that the Barrack Master had received the West Norfolk Regt. of [Militia] under the command of Lt Coll. Nelthorp into the Barrack, & also to request to your Lordship that that Regt. should not be disbanded next week as proposed.—The magistrates are anxious to impress this request upon your Ldships mind, as well that they may avail them themselves of that force so ably commanded, as to prevent the return at this moment of many men of that regiment. to their families in this City. It cannot be denied but that the manufacturing employment here is very low, which with the daily increasing price of flour & bread causes a general irritation in the minds of the labouring poor & the class immediately above them

Early yesterday the magistrates issued the inclosed handbill – they met at their hall about 7 oClock the people began to collect together — at ½ past 8 they were in considerable numbers, when the Magistrates thought proper to address them on their unusual appearance, stating to their them the necessity they should be made of reading the Riot act if they did not disperse—some of the Norwich Light Horse Volunteers having passed through the Market to the Swan Inn their place of rendezvous, the mob followed them — a person from that Inn soon came to the hall to give notice of their breaking windows & committing other outrages — upon which about ¼ before 9 oClock the Riot act was read in due form—About 15 of the Royal Dragoons, all there were in the barracks, under the command of Capt. Phipps, then came into the market & were joined by 29 in the Norwich Light Horse Volunteers under the command of Capt. Hudson – more of that corps could not be collected as many of them reside at some distance from the City—A Captain's guard from the West Norfolk [Militia] was placed in the Town Hall—All exerted themselves to the utmost & came assisted by a considerable number of respectable inhabitants, so that the market place was soon cleared & the people assembled their dispersed—Several persons were taken into custody & at this moment the Mayor & Magistrates employed in enquiring into their offences — It is very certain the people came into the market with a riotous determination having their pockets filled with Stones & offensive weapons — There is every reason to suspect they will renew their attempt this evening — every necessary precaution will be taken the propriety of which is more apparent every moment, from information we receive, that that the people did not expect the Magistrates to have been in such a state of preparation last night to meet any attempt to disturb the peace of the City – their object will never be absent from our minds, nor will any exertion be omitted on the part of the Military the Magistrates & a large number of respectable inhabitants to insure it.

I have now to apologize for addressing your Lordship, which I do at the request of the Mayor Mr Yallop, whose attention is altogether employed in hearing the various reports which are brought to him & in giving the necessary directions

I can assure your lordship no man could fill the office better, nor exert greater Zeal in satisfying its duties – I have requested his signature to this letter to give it all the official Sanction your Lordship may wish

I have [etc]
John Patteson

The Mayor has blotted out his Signature out of delicacy to the signing of his own promises

18th May 1816: Norfolk magistrates issue Proclamation about rioting

A Proclamation.—The Magistrates being determined to make use of every means which the Law allows them to preserve the peace of the City, hereby give notice, that if any number of persons shall hereafter unlawfully assemble themselves in any part of the City, they will cause them to be immediately dispersed. And they give this public notice of such their intention, that no attempt may again be made to repeat the late outrages. And should any person of persons, in wanton riots and illegal proceedings, after this solemn warning, receive any hurt or damage, or be apprehended and committed for trial, they must take the blame wholly on themselves.—The Magistrates also strictly charge and command the peaceable inhabitants to keep their families, and particularly their boys, apprentices, and servants, at home, as much as possible, in evenings.—They thanks those who have already joined them in their exertions to preserve the peace, and they request their further assistance; but they strictly warn all other persons of every description, not to wander in the streets or markets, from curiosity or any other motive; because, when necessity requires that the civil and military powers make use of force in suppressing of tumults, it is not possible to distinguish the innocent from the guilty; and, therefore, all present, let their motives be what they may, will be in danger of receiving injury, and of being committed to Gaol, to answer according to Law, for being even found amongst or near rioters.

Guildhall, May 18th, 1816

17th May 1816: The Mayor of Norwich informs the Home Secretary about rioting in the city

Guildhall Norwich May 17th 1816

my Lord

A Tumult having arisen last Night in this City and the Persons assembled having proceeded to acts of violence in the destruction of Flour, breaking of Windows &c, it became necessary for myself and the other Magistrates to call in the aid of the Military; which was difficult to be done effectually, the principal part of the West Norfolk Regiment being quartered in different parts of the City and not in Barracks.

We are still under apprehensions that the Outrages may be renewed, in the Evening and to morrow being our Market Day: And I have now the Honor to inform your Lordship that from the Deliberations of my Brother Magistrates now met, it has been judged so necessary that all the Men of the said Regiment should be kept together, that I have given a written Request or Authority to Mr. Joseph Clover the Barrack Master, to receive such Officers and Men into the Barracks as the Commanding Officer shall order there. This Measure Colonel Nelthorpe sanctioned and I trust it will meet with your Lordship’s approbation.

I must also take the Liberty of mentioning to your Lordship that the Magistrates now met, conceiving that the Men of the West Norfolk Regiment being in daily expectation of being disbanded, & of course  not so effective as they would otherwise be, it would be highly desirable if your Lordship immediately would cause Orders to be given that such Regiment shall continue embodied for some short Time, or at least until the present apprehensions have subsided.

I have the pleasure to inform your Lordship, that we have received as well from Colonel Nelthorpe, as from Captain Phipps of the Royalls at the Horse Barracks, every Attention and co∙operation that we could Wish.

I am [etc]

J.H. Yallop.
Mayor.

[To] The right honble Lord Sidmouth
one of his Majesty's Secretary
of State

PS. Amongst others the Bill Copied below has been stuck up.

"Attention

Fellow Countrymen & Slaves, now is the time to shake of your Load of Oppression & Starvation for which Purpose meet on the Castle Hill on Sunday Morning at 10 o'Clock then march to London there demand your Rights like Sons of Liberty

God save the People."

17th May 1816: Rioting continues in Norwich

The second day of rioting in Norwich continued on Friday 17th May, and the Bury & Norwich Post of 22nd May 1816 carried the following description:

A Court of Mayoralty was held on Friday morning, when strong measures to preserve the peace were determined on; at Sun-set a Captain's Guard of the West Norfolk Militia were marched into the Hall; the Norwich Yeomanry Cavalry, under Capt. Hudson, assembled at the Swan Inn; a detachment of the 1st Royal Dragoons were under arms at the Horse Barracks; and the Magistrates, Constables, and a number of the respectable inhabitants, at the same time were assembled at the Hall. These demonstrations had, to a considerable degree, the desired effect; nevertheless a large mob collected, who shewed a bad disposition, by breaking a number of lamps, windows, &c. The Magistrates and their assistants therefore proceeded in a body to the Market-place, and the Riot Act was read; several of the mob having surrounded them, and behaving in a disorderly manner, three were taken into custody, and the rest refusing to disperse, after proper time had been allowed them to do so, the military were called in, but were on their appearance received with vollies of stones, and their horses alarmed by throwing a large fire-ball; they soon, however, succeeded in driving their assailants out of the Market, and dispersing them in every direction; several who resisted were committed to the gaol, and before eleven o'clock every thing was quiet.—We are sorry to add, that several of the Yeomanry Cavalry received cuts and bruises from the stones, and one gentleman was thrown from his horse by coming into contact with a post, and the animal falling upon him, he was severely injured, but is now in a convalescent state.

17th May 1816: Norwich magistrates post handbills warning against rioting

NORWICH.

AT a COURT of MAYORALTY, held the Seventeenth Day of May, 1816.

THE misguided People, who were guilty of the Riot and Tumults last night, are hereby apprised by the Magistrates of the City, that in case of any Repetition of the same, the Magistrates will feel themselves bound, in the discharge of their Duty, immediately to order the RIOT ACT to be read, after which, if such Persons should continue in the Execution of their riotous Proceedings, they will forthwith become guilty of the Capital Felony, and liable to the penalty of DEATH.

The Magistrates further do hereby require, that on any Appearance of an Intention to repeat the same Riotous Proceedings, by the above-mentioned misguided People, that the respectable Inhabitants of the City do immediately meet at the Hall, in the Market to take such prompt measures to preserve the Peace and Security of the City as the Magistrates may deem necessary.

By the COURT,

DE HAGUE.

17th May 1816: Handbill posted in Norwich calls for march on London

Attention

Fellow Countrymen & Slaves, now is the time to shake of your Load of Oppression & Starvation for which Purpose meet on the Castle Hill on Sunday Morning at 10 o'Clock then march to London there demand your Rights like Sons of Liberty

God save the People.

16th May 1816: Rioting commences in Norwich

On Thursday 16th May, the first of 2 days of serious rioting began in Norwich. The Norfolk Chronicle of 18th May carried a report:

Late on Thursday evening, a mischievous and riotous disposition manifested itself here among those of the lowest class, (chiefly youths) who about nine o'clock assembled in the Market-place, and first began to throw fire-balls about, which seemed to have been prepared for the purpose; they afterwards broke the Hall windows, and those of several respectable individuals, and then proceeded to the New Mills, breaking all the City Lamps in their way:—the people at the Silk manufactory being at work, they attacked the windows, and on the lights being extinguished, some of the more audacious broke into the New Mills, (the windows of which they had first broken) and took thereout a quantity of flour, some of which they threw into the river, and some they carried away in the sacks. On their return from the Mills, they broke the lamps, and windows of several gentlemen in St. Andrew's, Bank-street, Tombland, Magdalen-street, and other places, and proceeded to Dr. Alderson's house, who on coming out to remonstrate with them on their highly improper conduct, was knocked down. 

In consequence of these outrages, the Mayor and Magistrates immediately assembled at the Hall, where they continued till a late hour; and the constables and several respectable persons, with staves and torches, proceeded to the New Mills, but the mob had dispersed. 

A picquet of the West Norfolk Militia was stationed before the Hall, and a party of the First Royal Dragoons, commanded by Capt. Phipps, and headed by a Magistrate, went down to Trowse Mills, where it had been reported a party had proceeded, but that happily was not the case; they then returned, and patroled the streets till morning.—Every precaution will be take to prevent a repetition on such violations of the public peace.