Tolpuddle Martyrs
The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of people who lived in the Dorset village of Tolpuddle. They influenced reform through their protests. In 1830 the wage of an agricultural worker was nine shillings. In the following years the wages were reduced to 6 shillings in 1834, causing outrage among the community. George Loveless started a rebellion and demanded higher wages if he were to be employed. However, Inspired by George Loveless, a farm labourer, the society grew rapidly through the winter months, and it was agreed that in the Spring the men would not accept any work for less than 10 shillings a week. Scared of the repetition of the rural unrest which had spread across Southern England in 1830, the authorities ordered the arrest of six men: James Brine, James Hammett, George Loveless, James Loveless (George's brother), George's brother in-law, Thomas Standfield and his son, John Standfield. Although eventually arrested, they made progress in reform. By making others enraged after their harsh deportation to Australia, many defended them which caused reform. Their protest reflected the situation at the time;
large factories were invading smaller industries and forcing lower wages, due
to the unskilled nature of the work. The Martyrs weren’t factory workers, they
were agricultural labourers. However, there was a general sense of discontent
among the working class, as industrialisation and low wages started spreading
from textiles into other industries. Their method of protesting was to blackmail the landowner so that if they refused, the landowner wouldn't have any workers. However, there were many other people who would gladly accept work even if it was at a low wage.