Battlefields›Merthyr and Dowlais Chartist drilling 1839
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Merthyr and Dowlais Chartist drilling 1839

1839
Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
Era
modern
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Government forces
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Chartist ironworkers c.5,000
Outcome
Column assembled and marched to Newport. Approximately 5,000 from the Merthyr and Ebbw Vale districts participated. Defeat at Newport led to arrest of leaders and transportation of the principal organisers.
The Battle

History & Significance

Merthyr and Dowlais ironworkers participated in the drilling and organisation that preceded the Newport Rising of November 1839. The Merthyr contingent under Zephaniah Williams was one of the three columns that converged on Newport. Drilling was conducted at night on the hills above the ironworks.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Merthyr and Dowlais Chartist drilling 1839

Merthyr Tramroad Tunnel (Trevithick's Tunnel)
Scheduled monument · Post Medieval/Modern · ~1.3 miles
Abercanaid haystack boiler
Scheduled monument · Post Medieval/Modern · ~1.9 miles
Cyfarthfa balance pond and leat
Scheduled monument · Post Medieval · ~1.9 miles
Merthyr Common Round Cairns
Scheduled monument · Prehistoric · ~2.1 miles
Vale of Neath railway cutting and tunnel portal
Scheduled monument · Victorian · ~2.1 miles
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