Steam, Strife, and Survival: The Coventry Weavers’ Riot of 1831
Saturday 2nd August, at 12 noon and 2.30pm.
Tickets are free but must be booked in advance via Eventbrite.
We are delighted to welcome author Sarah Thornton as a special guest for our August Open Day.
Sarah’s great great great grandfather was silk weaver, Thomas Burbury, accused of being the ringleader in the great riot of 1831. Thomas lived in Spon End about half a mile from where the riot took place, somewhere close to where The Weaver’s House stands. Sarah’s talk will delve into her family history to throw light on another chapter of Coventry’s textile history:
It’s 1831 and times were tough for Coventry weavers. They had staunchly defended the timeworn craft of their ancestors for decades, resisting steam engines and other newfangled advances, cherishing the prized, single-hand looms upstairs in their cottages and terraces.
But winter was approaching, ribbon prices were down, and work was scarce. Hunger and poverty gripped the throats of men and women across the city. And so, on that November day of 1831, the weavers held a meeting to decide what to do—hundreds of them gathering in Cross Cheaping.
No one…not the weavers, nor the masters, not the magistrates nor the city aldermen …no one could have predicted the violence and destruction that was to rain down upon Coventry that day.
What was it down in the yard off New Buildings that angered the crowd so? And who was the man with the scar, seen at the forefront of the violence? What would become of the those involved? Everyone knew the punishment for rioting was death. And why would this event spell the death knell for ribbon weaving in Coventry forever?
Come and hear the shocking true story of the infamous Weaver’s Riot of 1831. The talk will last 45 minutes – 1 hour and there will be the opportunity for questions.
Please note that the talk will take place in the upstairs room due to space restrictions. Tickets must be booked in advance.
The rest of the site will be open from 10am until 4pm and refreshments are available.
Book for 12 noon
Book for 2.30pm
Visit the author’s website Sarah Thornton
