BattlefieldsCaptain Swing riots Wiltshire 1830
modern

Captain Swing riots Wiltshire 1830

1830
Wiltshire, England
Era
modern
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Wiltshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
machinery and grain merchants.
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Wiltshire agricultural and textile labourers
Outcome
Extensive machine-breaking. Special Commission at Salisbury tried hundreds of prisoners. Mass transportation. The Wiltshire Swing prosecutions were among the harshest in England.
The Battle

History & Significance

Wiltshire was among the worst-affected counties in the Captain Swing Riots with hundreds of incidents of machine-breaking, fire-raising and threatening letters. The Wiltshire wool manufacturing and agricultural districts saw coordinated action by labourers demanding higher wages and cheaper food.

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