On this day, 20 May 1873, 16 women from Ascott-under-Wychwood in Oxfordshire, England, were sent to
On this day, 20 May 1873, 16 women from Ascott-under-Wychwood in Oxfordshire, England, were sent to prison for their role in forming the Agricultural Workers’ Union and became known as the Ascott martyrs. Local farm workers had joined the union, so the landowner sacked them and instead hired workers from the nearby village of Ramsden. The women approached the replacement workers, stop them from working and tried to encourage them to join the union. They were subsequently arrested and charged with obstructing and coercing two men to leave their employment. Two local vicars working as magistrates oversaw their trial. Despite the women not having legal representation, they were convicted the same day and sentenced to hard labour for periods of seven to 10 days. Upon hearing the verdict, an enraged crowd of around 1,000 people attacked the court, attempting to free the women. In this endeavour they were unsuccessful so instead they destroyed property for two hours until police reinforcements arrived from Oxford. During their imprisonment, the women’s children were looked after by neighbours and union officials. Meanwhile protests against the verdict continued, and a personal appeal was sent to Queen Victoria. The Queen issued pardons for the women, also giving them a red-flannel petticoat and 5 shillings each. The action was particularly significant as it eventually led to the law being changed to allow picketing, as well as restrictions on the use of clergy members as magistrates. https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/1992393084279165/?type=3 -- source link
Tumblr Blog : workingclasshistory.tumblr.com