BattlefieldsMidlands food riots 1795
modern

Midlands food riots 1795

1795
England
Era
modern
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Yeomanry cavalry; magistrates
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Midlands labouring poor attacking grain merchants
Outcome
Riots suppressed by Yeomanry; Speenhamland system adopted to supplement wages; food prices remained high through the war years
The Battle

History & Significance

The harvest failure of 1795 produced widespread food rioting across the Midlands from Nottingham to Birmingham; crowds attacked grain dealers and bakers, demanding bread at affordable prices; the Speenhamland system of poor relief was adopted in response

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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