The Tolpuddle Martyrs, 1834
| This cartoon was part of the public campaign fought on behalf of
the Tolpuddle Martyrs. In 1834 they were sentenced to transportation
for seven years after swearing an oath of loyalty to a labourers'
union. By then trade unions were no longer banned, but under an old
law secret oaths were illegal. The men are shown begging for mercy
from the king. The six 'martyrs' were pardoned in 1836 and returned
home two years later. Catalogue reference: HO 44/27, no. 193 (1834) |
Transcript
|
