Launch Press Release

Bicentenary of ‘Captain Swing’ riots in Hampshire to be marked by The English Project​

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The ‘Captain Swing’ Riots and the subsequent Winchester Grand Assize of 1830 is a hugely important but
largely forgotten part of Hampshire history, said Martin Tod, leader of Winchester City Council at an
event held during last weekend’s Heritage Open Days to launch the Bicentenary Commemoration of the
Riots.

Organised by the English Project, a variety of commemorative events are planned to unfold over the next

five years years in the run up to some major performances and exhibitions in 2030 including a re-
enactment of the Grand Assize held in the Great Hall.

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The Captain Swing Riots erupted in the Autumn of 1830 after a decade of growing impoverishment
among agricultural labourers. Barely able to feed themselves and their families, workers began burning
ricks, destroying threshing machines (the new technology of the 1820s) and demonstrating across more
than sixty Hampshire villages. ‘Captain Swing’ was the notional leader of the rioters and many
threatening letters were sent out in his name. Against this background the Duke of Wellington, the Lord
Lieutenant of the county, decided to crack down hard. Around 300 men were arrested and brought to trial
in the Great Hall. Most were found guilty and sentenced either to death, transportation to Australia or gaol
sentences. The impact on the Hampshire rural community was devastating but many of the issues behind
the ‘Swing’ unrest are still pertinent today from the impact of technological innovation to the language of
protest.

“I am delighted to support this Bicentenary project,” said Martin Tod, who has become an official Patron.
“It feels very contemporary in the issues it is addressing and it will also allow us to take a District and
County-wide view of Winchester’s role.” Also endorsing the project was John Denham, the former
Southampton Itchen Member of Parliament, who said “The Swing Riots are a fascinating story of 200
years ago that has a great deal to say about the people whom we are today.” Meanwhile Tony Williams,
another patron and formerly a senior lawyer, added, “The Swing Riots raise issues about what type of
protest is acceptable and how people express their concerns about rapid change in which there are losers
as well as winners. It poses the question, what mechanisms of dissent and protest are available which
don’t destroy society?”

The Recorder of the Winchester Court HHJ Angela Morris made clear her support for the Bicentenary
Commemoration saying that it was striking how the Duke of Wellington had called on the judiciary back
in 1830 to ‘get stuck in and sort out’ the unrest of the Swing Riots. However since then the language and
the rule of law had evolved significantly and she hoped that process would become clear in the course of
the project.

Following the launch announcement a Taster programme was put on in the Council Chamber featuring
potted histories of Swing events in St. Mary Bourne and along the Dever valley plus folk songs of the
time and, finally, a re-enactment of the delivery of death sentences on three of the accused rioters. It
brought the session to a sobering conclusion.

For more on the English Project’s Captain Swing Bicentenary Commemoration go to
www.englishproject.org