Preludes to the riots in Dorset and Somerset in 1831

Poole, Steve; Ball, Roger; Drury, John

Abstract

This essay considers a series of preludes in 1830 and 1831 to the riots in Dorset and south Somerset in October 1831. Although written from the perspective of Sherborne in north Dorset this paper provides useful context for case studies of riots in Blandford, Sherborne and Yeovil. It examines agricultural disturbances (known as the ‘Swing riots’), early reform protests, the general election of May 1831, the defeat of the Second Reform Bill in the House of Lords and the Dorset by-election of October 1831. The power-relations and disturbances on the final day of polling in the by-election at Poundbury and Fordington, in Dorchester are analysed in detail. Their importance lies in how they framed the narrative of the defeat of the reform candidate that was carried across Dorset by word of mouth by those returning from the polling.

• Digital Artefact Type: Website Content
• Online Publication Date: May 22, 2023
• Publication Date: May 10, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jul 10, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 11, 2023
• Keywords: riot, 1831, Dorset, Somerset, crowds, Dragoons, crowds
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10926381
• Additional Information: This is a prelude to other case study riots in Blandford Forum, Sherborne, Yeovil and Bristol in 1831