2nd January 1812: Derbyshire publicans convicted of allowing after-hours drinking

In December 1811, Magistrates in the counties of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire had brought in strict curfew & licensing hours for public houses, and only a month later, it was evident that the authorities fully intended to enforce the new rules. In the 2nd January edition of the Derby Mercury, it was reported that 2 publicans had been convicted for "allowing tippling in their houses after the hour of nine o'clock in the evening."

1st January 1812: the Manchester spy 'B' reports on a Stockport delegate touring Yorkshire

On New Year's Eve 1811, the spy 'B' continued his reports for Colonel Fletcher about the underground in Lancashire and Cheshire.

That day, he had met a man named Waterhouse from Shaw, near Oldham. He reported that the local people were enthused by the disturbances in Nottingham, noting that the 3,000 troops stationed there could not quell the disturbances, and that an extension into other Counties would mean the government could lose control. Despite this, Waterhouse felt that things in his local area were not yet bad enough for people to rise as Nottingham had, but if they were, it would take 10,000 troops to keep them and neighbouring districts down.

On New Year's Day, 'B' reported he had met a 'Jack' (i.e. Jacobin) from Stockport who had news from another delegate that had been sent through Yorkshire. He had reported on divisions amongst committees in Leeds between those who were for revolution and those for reform. The delegate had reported the difficulties in organising experienced by the secret committee in York since the "Lord Mayre add is people allways on the Lookout". The delegate had then made his way to Hull, and the general feeling was that a rising could only succeed in the area if Hull were to be at the forefront. The Hull delegates he met held very strong fears about the response of the military in the area to any attempt at a rising as "the Garison Could Lay the town in ashes in a short time". The local committee promised to stay in regular monthly contact and the Stockport delegates plan was to head north into Teeside and Tyneside and then head back down to Halifax.

Finally, 'B' reported that the Manchester committee's plans to requisition the Borough Reeve for a public meeting about peace & parliamentary reform were still stalling.

1st January 1812: Proclamation “By the Framework Knitters, A Declaration"

By the Frameworck Knitters

A Declaration

Whereas by the Charter, granted by our late Sovereign Lord Charles the Seacond by the Grace of God of Great Brittain France and Ireland the Frame Worck Knitters are Impowre’d to breake and Distroy all Frames or Engines that fabricate Articles in a fraudilent and Deceitfull manner and to distroy all Frameworck Knitters Goods Whatsoever that are so made—And Whereas a number of Deceitfull Unprinciped and Interguing Persons did Attain An Act to be passed in the twenty Eight Year of our preasent Sovereign Lord George the third Whereby it was enacted that Persons, Entring by Force into any house Shop or Place to Brake or Distroy frames should be Adjudged Guilty of Feloney, and as we are fully Convinced that such Act was Obtain’d in the most Fraudilent Manner Interesting and Electionering manner and that the Honourable Parliment of Great Brittain was deceived the Motives and Intentions of the Persons Obtained such Act we therefore the frame worck knitters do hereby declare the aforesaid Act to be null and void to all Intents and Purposses, Whatsoever as by the passing of this Act Vilinous and Impassing persons Are Enable to make Fraudilent and Deceitfull Manifactory’s to the discreadit and utter ruin of Our Trade. And Wheareas wee declare that the afore Mentioned charter is as much in force as tho no such Act has been passed and we do hereby declare to all Hosiers lace Manufactirou’s and properieters of frames that we will break and distroy all manner of frames Whatsoever that make the Following spurious Articles and all Frames Whatsoever that do not pay the regular prises heretofore Agree’d to by the Masters and Worckman all point nett frames making single press and frames not working by the rack and rent and not paying the price regulated in 1810 Warp frames working single yarn or to cource all, Not working by the rack not paying the rent And prises regulated in 1809 Wereas all plain Silk frames not making worck according to the Gage, Frames not making the work according to Quallity whereas all frames of whatsoever discription the worckmen of which Are not paid in current Coin of the realm will Invarioably be distroy’d Whearas it as represented to Frame worck Knitters that Gangs of Bandittys have Infested various parts of the Country under pretence of Being Complyed of Breaking of frames and hath Committed divers Robbereys uppon any friends and Neighbours I Do hereby offer a reward of 1000 pound to any Pirson that will give any Information at my Oflice I have I have Got two Thousand pounds as Seacret money any Person that will Give any Information of the Villiannary and False Rumers of the Frame brakers, any one that will come forward may depend upon the Greatest secresey and the same reward.

Given under my hand this first day of January in one thousand Eight Hundred an Twelve

NED LUD’S OFFICE
God protect the Trade. Sherwood Forrest

31st December 1811: A hosier's windows are broken in Nottingham

In the week 30th December 1811 - 3rd January 1812, a Hosier called William Trentham had some of his windows smashed by stones at least twice. For Trentham, this inconvenience was no doubt annoying, but he would have done well to heed the clear warnings as to his unpopularity with the people of Nottingham. The coming year was to bring much worse for him.

31st December 1811: Lace frame destroyed in Nottingham

On New Years Eve, the owner of a Lace frame in Nottingham left his house on Milk Street to undertake his duties as a Special Constable for the evening. During his shift, his frame was destroyed by Luddites, who clearly knew his movements that evening.

29th December 1811: Duke of Newcastle to Home Office

Clumber
Decr. 29 1811

Sir,

As nothing material has occurred relative to the disturbances in this County since I last had the honor of addressing you, I have not thought it necessary to trouble you on the subject.

It is very much hoped that the public tranquillity will now be very soon restored, every thing is certainly more quiet and but few frames have lately been broken altho’ I understood that on the Thursday in last week two or three frames were broken in Nottingham Appearances are undoubtedly in favor of the near conclusion of the very disgraceful proceedings which have for too long a period been carried on in this County.

Opinions differ from each other so widely in every thing which concerns these disturbances, that it is almost impossible to form a just idea of the real state of the case; that however which now appears to me to be the most rational and best founded on fact is that the original cause is the distress of the workmen who have unquestionably been most hardly treated by their employers; urged by absolute necessity to require a better treatment from their Masters they endeavoured to obtain better terms for themselves; on such occasion, as you too well know, there are always mischievous people who are ever ready to foment discord, the suggestions of such people were unfortunately too much attended to and thence the disorders which followed.

In the neighbourhood of Mansfield every thing has been arranged in the best manner between the masters and workmen and at Nottingham only and immediately around it do any appearances of discontent now prevail, it is said by some that in this quarter things remain in as bad a state as ever, from what I learn from others, and this I hope to be the real state of the case, an adjustment of the differences appears fast approaching and that already every thing is much quieter.

It will indeed be a cause of most sincere gratification to me to be able to inform you of the entire restoration of order in the County.

I have [etc.]

NEWCASTLE

28th December 1811: Nottingham delegates at secret meetings in Stockport

On Saturday 28th December, Viscount Warren-Bulkeley wrote to the Home Secretary, Richard Ryder. He had received intelligence from an agent that 'delegates from Nottingham' had been in Stockport and had held a meeting with delegates from the local weavers on Saturday 21st December in Union Street. He had no other information about the content of the meeting, other than to add that the Nottingham men had returned the next day and also that a meeting of some kind was due to take place on a hill in the area on the 30th December.

28th December 1811: One frame broken at Old Radford

On Saturday 28th December 1811 a wide frame employed to make cut-ups was destroyed at Old Radford.

28th December 1811: Coal Waggon destroyed at Bulwell

On Saturday 28th December 1811, a waggon full of coal was set alight at Bulwell, being entirely destroyed in the process. The waggon belonged to a Mr Falconbridge, a local publican.

27th December 1811: The spy 'B' reports about a planned strike in Stockport and of travelling delegates

Colonel Fletcher's agent, 'B', compiled another report for his employer, commencing the 23rd December.

He reported that on the 24th December he had met a committee delegate from Mottram, who said their local committee had heard from the delegate they had sent into Yorkshire, specifically Doncaster, Rotherham & Sheffield. The report from there stated they were in need of leadership, and their shortcomings in that department had led them to turn down requests for help from Nottingham.

'B' had himself been to Stockport the same day, and reported that there was pressure for a strike from the weavers, to gain an increase in wages - "Even the single man Cannot Live on his Earnings Let alone men with famileys". 'B' noted that their poverty was so dire that they could not afford to make contributions towards the committee.

On Friday 27th December, 'B' had run into his Irish contact Cannovan. He had been as far South as Bristol where the "business" was "flat", but reported that the underground in Birmingham wanted to procure arms. He also remarked that although he wanted to visit Nottingham, it was "dangerous to do so", commenting that he thought the Luddites there "had taken a rong step should have waited a proper time".

Once again, Cannovan was disappointed with what Bent told him about progress in Manchester.

Cannovan was headed for Dublin, via Liverpool, although he said he may have to go to Scotland soon, but did not know when he would be in Manchester again. He rebuffed 'Bs' offer to send him news to his address in Dublin, saying "danger might atend such Corryspondance".

'B' completed his report with the news that the Manchester committee had not met in the last week, and was unaware when they would again, noting the disquiet that the more radical countryside delegates felt about this inactivity.

27th December 1811: One lace frame broken in Nottingham

In a house near Meadow Platts, Nottingham, stood 3 plain silk frames, all of considerable value. On Friday 27th December, the house was broken into, but only one of the frames was destroyed - the owner of the other two frames had not offended the Luddites with the prices he had offered to the workmen.

27th December 1811: Address of the Framework Knitters of Melbourne

Melbourne, December 23, 1811

THE Framework-Knitters of this peaceable and hitherto undisturbed Town were very much rejoiced to hear that the Gentlemen Hosiers were taking into their consideration to redress the Grievances the Workmen labour under; and to establish a respectable, regular, and permanent Price, for the making of the different Articles belonging to that extensive and respectable Branch of ENGLISH COMMERCE: In consequence of which, the Framework-Knitters of this Town it indispensably necessary to hold a Meeting, for the purpose of stating the Prices they wish to have for the different Sorts of Work that are making at this Place. And it is hoped that the Gentlemen Hosiers will not think the Statement unreasonable, as we do not wish for any addition to the Price that was settled by One Hundred and Thirty-nine honorable Hosiers, on the 7th of May, 1805, and published in the Nottingham Review, on the 6th of December, 1811. And as there are different Sorts of Work making in this Neighbourhood at the present Time not known at the above Date of 1805, it has been thought necessary to state a Price to those Sorts of Work, and it is hoped that the Gentlemen Hosiers will readily agree to the Statement, when it is considered that it is Sixpence per Yard lower than it was Two Years ago, in the Derby Ribbed Double-looped Piece Work.

THE STATEMENT IS AS FOLLOWS:

DERBY RIBBED DOUBLE-LOOPED CORD.

24 Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1s. 9d.

26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2s. 0d.

28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2s. 0d.

GERMAN RIBS.

21 Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1s. 9d.

24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2s. 0d.

BERLIN PIECES.

                White Worsted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2s. 0d. per Yard. 

Light Drab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2s. 2d.

Dark Drab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2s. 3d.

Dark Blue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2s. 4d.

The Journeyman’s Price for making the Berlin Pieces, at this place, is 1s. 6d. per Yard, as the Yard in taken in and measured at the Warehouse; and the whole of the extra Price we have, from the Warehouse, for Colours.

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: Frame-breaking in the Nottinghamshire villages

On the evening of Wednesday 25th December, at least one stocking frame was broken at Carlton, 3 at Sneinton and 2 in the town of Nottingham itself (North Street according to Conant & Baker).

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.

24th December 1811: Clashes at Lord Middleton's Estate at Wollaton

Late on Tuesday 24th December, a group of 18 men deliberately trespassed onto the land of Lord Middleton, near Wollaton in Nottinghamshire. For Middleton and his class, the end of the year was to be no less affluent than any other year, but for thousands of people in the lands bordering his estate, an empty belly was a certainty and starvation not too distant a prospect.

The men found their way to a game nursery at Shortwood, near Trowell on his estate, and set about killing his game stock of pheasants. But 4 of Middleton's gamekeepers interrupted them and a fight ensued, at the end of which one of the gamekeepers was left unconscious and badly beaten. One of the gamekeepers had managed to escape back to Wollaton Hall and raise the alarm, and the considerable guard set out to check all of the roads in the vicinity. The assumption was that the intruders were Luddites from nearby Radford, but no-one was to be found.

The intruders had made their escape with some of the dead pheasants.

24th December 1811: One frame broken at Arnold.

On Tuesday, 24th December, one stocking frame was broken at Arnold.

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.

23rd December 1811: Locko Grange Burglary Reward Notice

23rd December 1811: Ned Lud's Proclamation

23 Dec. 1811

I do hereby discharge, all manner of Persons, who has been employ’d by me, in giveing any information, of breaking Frames, to the Town Clerk, or to the Corporation Silley Committee ~ any Person found out, in so doing or attempting to give out any information, will be Punish’d with death, or any Constable found out making any enquiries, so has to hurt the Cause of Ned, or any of his army, D E A T H (by order of King Lud)