‘I fear there will be blood spilt this evening’: The Blandford Forum riots of 1831

In October 1831, the refusal of the House of Lords to pass new legislation for the reform of parliament plunged the whole country into a deep political crisis. Rioting broke out in a number of towns, leaving local authorities hard pressed to restore order.

One such town was Blandford Forum in Dorset. Here, protesting crowds attacked the property of anti-reformers, defied the orders of local magistrates to disperse, and fought with an armed cavalry regiment sent out to tackle them. In the retribution that followed, two young Blandford men were sentenced to death by hanging. This book tells the full story of these momentous events for the first time and explores the motivation of the men and women who took part in them.

This 104 page, full colour book (RRP £10),  has just been published by Blandford Town Museum based on research carried out by the Riot1831! team from UWE. The BRHG bookstall is stocking the publication, for more information contact:  contact@blandfordtownmuseum.org.uk