‘Episcopal treason and plot’: Effigy burning in the reform protests of autumn 1831

Ball, Roger; Askew, Jane; Poole, Steve; Drury, John

Abstract

This article considers the practice of parading and burning of effigies of anti-reform Lords and Bishops as a particular type of protest during the reform crisis of autumn 1831. The article begins by framing effigy burning within traditional repertoires of ‘rough music’ and then using the results of a mass survey of reform-related protest in October-November 1831 provides examples of the practice from across Britain in the period. Consideration is given to the reactions of the peers and clergy to this activity and how it was policed. An afterword examines the reaction in contemporary newspapers to the burnings through humorous cartoons and reports of popular poems and songs which accompanied them.

• Digital Artefact Type: Website
• Online Publication Date: Nov 9, 2021
• Deposit Date: Feb 6, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 7, 2025
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13722729
• External URL: https://riot1831.com/2021/11/episcopal-treason-and-plot-effigy-burning-in-the-autumn-1831-reform-protests/