Return to the Weavers Uprising 1826, with a follow up by Dr David Scott

Weavers Uprising and Chatterton Massacre

Nearly 200 years ago, the people living in Pennine Lancashire experienced great hardship and poverty. The 1825-1827 economic depression resulted in tens of thousands facing the real possibility of starvation. The plight of the handloom weavers was particularly desperate - facing low wages, unemployment and the emergence of the powerloom.

In April 1826 thousands of ordinary people collectively rose up in a desperate attempt to alleviate their dire situation. They focused on the destruction of the powerloom as a way of sending a symbolic message to those in power. Over four days - from 24th - 27th April 1826 more than 1,100 powerlooms were destroyed. The protestors were met with bullets rather than bread - resulting in the Chatterton Massacre on 26th April 1826.

This talk will cover the context of the uprising; the events themselves, including the massacre at Chatterton; the aftermath of the rising and the work of the Weavers Uprising Bicentennial Committee to commemorate this monumental historical event in 2026.