BattlefieldsWesthoughton Mill burning Lancashire 1812
modern

Westhoughton Mill burning Lancashire 1812

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

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
the power loom mill and its workforce. Military deployed too late to prevent burning.
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Lancashire Luddite rioters
Outcome
Mill burned to the ground. Four Luddites hanged for the arson. Lancashire Luddism suppressed by the combination of executions and a massive military presence.
The Battle

History & Significance

Luddite rioters burned the power loom mill at Westhoughton in Lancashire, destroying one of the largest concentrations of new textile machinery in the north-west. The attack was the most destructive single act of Luddite machine-breaking and caused enormous financial losses.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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