BattlefieldsRawfolds Mill attack Yorkshire 1812
modern

Rawfolds Mill attack Yorkshire 1812

1812
Yorkshire, England
Era
modern
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
William Cartwright and five soldiers plus four armed workers defending the mill.
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Luddite force of approximately 150 men
Outcome
Attack repulsed. Two Luddites died of wounds. Cartwright celebrated as hero by mill owners. Luddites subsequently assassinated Cartwright associate William Horsfall. Mass treason trials at York in January 1813 resulted in seventeen executions.
The Battle

History & Significance

Approximately 150 Luddite croppers and cloth workers attacked Rawfolds Mill near Cleckheaton owned by William Cartwright who had installed shearing frames displacing skilled workers. Cartwright had prepared his defences with soldiers and armed workmen and repulsed the attack, leaving two Luddites mortally wounded.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Yorkshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Yorkshire