Crimes Against Authority in Britain

This section explains Crimes Against Authority in Britain, c.1700 - c.1900. Between 1700 and 1900, the nature of crimes considered a threat to authority in Britain evolved, as societal and political landscapes changed. The authorities increasingly focused on activities that challenged the power of landowners, employers, and the ruling classes, shifting away from concerns about witchcraft and heresy. This period saw the decline of older forms of superstition and religious control, replaced by new fears of labour unrest, social movements, and revolutionary activity. These developments led to harsher laws and punishments aimed at suppressing challenges to authority, particularly from the working classes.

Decline of Witchcraft and Heresy

In the centuries preceding 1700, Britain experienced significant religious upheaval, including the Reformation and the intense witch hunts of the 16th and 17th centuries. These fears and superstitions were largely driven by the belief in the supernatural and heretical practices. However, by the 18th century, with the rise of scientific thinking and Enlightenment ideals, the belief in witchcraft and heresy began to fade, particularly among the educated classes.

• The Witchcraft Act of 1736 marked a significant shift in legal attitudes toward witchcraft. This law decriminalised witchcraft as a capital offence, recognising that accusations of witchcraft were often based on superstition, fear, and personal vendettas rather than any real crime. Witchcraft was no longer considered a crime against authority but was instead treated as a matter of fraud or deception, usually perpetrated by confidence artists. This reflected a broader cultural change where reason and science began to challenge previously held religious and supernatural beliefs.
• The last execution for heresy took place in 1612, and by the 18th and 19th centuries, these types of crimes had become a thing of the past. With the decline of religious persecution for heresy and witchcraft, the focus of authorities shifted to other forms of social control and dissent.

The Fear of Revolution

One of the most significant political events of the late 18th century was the French Revolution of 1789. The overthrow of the French monarchy and the violent execution of the ruling class, including King Louis XVI, sent shockwaves through Europe. The British government, fearful of similar uprisings among the working classes, viewed such events as a direct threat to their power. As revolutionary movements spread across Europe in the early 19th century, particularly in France, British authorities became more anxious about the possibility of a popular revolution in Britain.

• British landowners and politicians were particularly alarmed by the Grand National Consolidated Trades Union, founded in the early 19th century. This union aimed to unite workers in a bid to improve their wages and working conditions. While membership in a trade union was not illegal, the growing organisation of workers into unions was seen as a threat to the established social order. Employers feared that such unions would empower workers to demand higher wages and better conditions, challenging the hierarchical power structures of both the economy and society.

The Tolpuddle Martyrs

The story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs is one of the most famous examples of the British authorities’ harsh response to the rise of labour movements during the early 19th century. The events unfolded in the village of Tolpuddle, Dorset, where a group of agricultural labourers, led by George Loveless, sought to improve their wages, which had been significantly reduced by their employers.

• At the time, the men were earning six shillings a week, while other farm labourers were making around ten shillings a week. After several unsuccessful attempts to negotiate higher wages, the labourers formed a union, called the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers, to collectively demand better pay and conditions. Each member of the union swore a secret oath to support one another and their cause.
• However, the farm owners were determined to break the union, viewing it as a threat to their control over the labour force. In response, the government passed a navy law that had previously prohibited sailors from taking secret oaths, extending it to cover all secret oaths. This law made it illegal for the labourers to continue their union, and the men were arrested for taking an oath of loyalty to the society.
• The authorities took severe action against the Tolpuddle Martyrs. In 1834, the men were sentenced to seven years’ transportation to Australia, one of the harshest penalties available at the time. This sentence was intended to serve as a strong deterrent to anyone else who might attempt to organise workers or challenge the authority of employers.

Public Reaction and Campaign for Justice

The sentence handed down to the Tolpuddle Martyrs was widely unpopular across Britain. Many viewed the labourers as martyrs for the cause of workers' rights, and their punishment sparked public outrage. A large campaign was launched to demand their release, with mass protests, petitions, and public demonstrations calling for justice.

• A meeting was held in London, attended by over 100,000 people, protesting the harsh treatment of the labourers. A petition demanding their release was signed by over 200,000 people. Despite this overwhelming public support, Lord Melbourne, the Home Secretary at the time, refused to grant a pardon.
• The campaign gained momentum as more people rallied to the cause. After continued pressure from the public, the government eventually yielded. In 1836, the Tolpuddle Martyrs were granted a pardon and allowed to return to Britain. Their release marked a significant victory for the labour movement and showed the growing power of public protest in influencing government decisions.

Legacy of the Tolpuddle Martyrs

The case of the Tolpuddle Martyrs highlighted the growing tensions between the working classes and the established authorities during the 19th century. The punishment of the labourers and the subsequent public outcry reflected the changing relationship between workers and employers. It also demonstrated how the government sought to suppress any form of organised labour, viewing it as a potential threat to the established social and political order.

In the longer term, the Tolpuddle Martyrs became a symbol of the struggle for workers’ rights. Their story is remembered as a key moment in the history of trade unions and the wider fight for social justice in Britain. It also contributed to the eventual legalisation and recognition of trade unions, which would go on to play a significant role in improving conditions for workers throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Conclusion

The period from 1700 to 1900 saw significant changes in the nature of crimes against authority in Britain. As fears of witchcraft and heresy faded, new concerns emerged, particularly around the rise of labour movements and the potential for revolution. The authorities reacted harshly to perceived threats, as seen in the case of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, where the government sought to suppress workers' rights through severe punishment. However, the public outcry that followed the unjust treatment of these men also demonstrated the growing power of popular movements, which would continue to shape British society and politics in the years to come.