1. Lord Byron, speech in the House of Lords (27th February, 1812):
"During the short time I recently passed in Nottingham, not twelve hours elapsed without some fresh act of violence; and on that day I left the the county I was informed that forty Frames had been broken the preceding evening, as usual, without resistance and without detection. Such was the state of that county, and such I have reason to believe it to be at this moment. But whilst these outrages must be admitted to exist to an alarming extent, it cannot be denied that they have arisen from circumstances of the most unparalleled distress: the perseverance of these miserable men in their proceedings, tends to prove that nothing but absolute want could have driven a large, and once honest and industrious, body of the people, into the commission of excesses so hazardous to themselves, their families, and the community. They were not ashamed to beg, but there was none to relieve them: their own means of subsistence were cut off, all other employment preoccupied; and their excesses, however to be deplored and condemned, can hardly be subject to surprise. As the sword is the worst argument than can be used, so should it be the last. In this instance it has been the first; but providentially as yet only in the scabbard. The present measure will, indeed, pluck it from the sheath; yet had proper meetings been held in the earlier stages of these riots, had the grievances of these men and their masters (for they also had their grievances) been fairly weighed and justly examined, I do think that means might have been devised to restore these workmen to their avocations, and tranquillity to the country."
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRbyron.htm
This speech was the inspiration for the opening scene in the Prologue of The Machine Wreckers by Ernst Toller. Lord Byron was a frontline debator on the subject of Industrialism and the issue of dealing with luddites. He witnessed extreme poverty amongst the people of Nottingham and could attest to their struggles and needs. His purpose in this speech was to persuade politicians from applying the death penalty to luddites (those who brought violent attacks against machines in factories that had taken their jobs). Lord Byron was a man of the people as well as a poet and song writer of the time.
2. War of 1812
Britain fought a war with the United States (1812-1815); causes included British blockading of American ships. The U.S. army burned Toronto in 1812, and in retaliation, British troops burned Washington DC in 1814. Many historic sayings and songs emerged from this war: Frances Scott Key wrote the poem that was to become The Star Spangled Banner while watching the battle of Fort McHenry (1814) from a British vessel. The USS Constitution proved itself in battle and was nicknamed Old Ironsides. "Don't give up the ship," became a battle cry. In the 1814 Battle of New Orleans, actually fought after the war's end (word had not yet reached either army of the truce), Americans under Andrew Jackson caused heavy losses for the British army, including many veterans of the Peninsular War (1808-1814). The Duke of Wellington felt those losses as he gathered troops for the battle of Waterloo in June, 1815.
This war is especially important during this era because it is one fought between the current and future super powers of the world. The War of 1812 clearly showed a shift in power and put the U.S. on the world stage. At a time when Britain had its hand in most parts of the world, the U.S. was able to stop England from intruding. These are the losses felt by the people.
3. Assasinations
Prime Minister Spencer Perceval
On 11 May 1812, while on his way to take part in a debate on the Orders in Council passed by Portland's ministry, Perceval was shot in the lobby of the House of Commons by John Bellingham. Bellingham, who had been trying unsuccessfully to obtain government compensation for debts incurred while he was in Russia, gave himself up immediately. He was tried at the Old Bailey and condemned to death: he was executed on 18 May 1812. Perceval was buried in the family vault in St. Luke's, Charlton, on 16 May 1812.
http://www.historyhome.co.uk/pms/spencer.htm
Like the assassinations of JFK and Abraham Lincoln, public figures who are killed remove some hope within the population. Perhaps someone is killed who is on the front lines of your cause, this can be a set back in your cause. These killings cheat the people from having another supporting voice in the political relm.
4. Inventions
A "pusher" machine patented by Nottingham inventors S. Clark and J. Mart will be modified in 1825 to produce a twisted patterned lace that can be produced far more cheaply than handmade lace.
http://www.answers.com/topic/1812
A metal can (or canister) for preserving food was invented in 1810 by a Peter Durand, of London, England. Metal cans (also called tins) could preserve food for a long period of time. To open a can, a person had to use a hammer and chisel; the can opener wasn't invented for another 50 years.http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/1800a.shtml
Inventions in the local area are achievements to reveared, however many can lead to the elimination of jobs in towns. The fight between technology and hand working is a major theme in this play and these inventions should be recognized in the process.
5. Child Labour
Many parents were unwilling to allow their children to work in [the] new textile factories. To overcome this labour shortage factory owners had to find other ways of obtaining workers. One solution to the problem was to buy children from orphanages and workhouses. The children became known as pauper apprentices. This involved the children signing contracts that virtually made them the property of the factory owner.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/IRworkhouse.children.htm
Reports were written detailing some of the abuses, particularly in the coal mines and textile factories and these helped to popularise the children's plight. The public outcry, especially among the upper and middle classes, helped stir change in the young workers' welfare.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Revolution#Factories_and_urbanisation
Child labor is a reoccuring issue in the play. I though it necessary to delve into the world of child labor in order to understand the pain it brought. Over worked children in crumby, dirty jobs sky-rocket the death rate of children. These are the attrocities seen and felt by the people of England.
6. Urban Life
Perterloo Massacre
On August 16th [1819] a mass meeting was arranged by the Manchester radicals to hear Henry Hunt, a speaker who advocated annual parliaments, universal suffrage, and the ballot. A crowd gathered in St. Peter's Fields, and trouble arose between it and the Lancashire militia who were present on the plea of preserving order. The troops charged and killed several persons, to the intense indignation of radical sympathizers in every part of the island.
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1819peterloo.html
With the adoption of the factory system, we find a shift in population. Settlements grew around the factories. In some cases, housing was provided to workers by their employers, thus giving the factory owners greater control over the lives of his workers. In some cases factories started in existing towns, which was desirable because a labor pool was readily available. The prime consideration for locating a factory was the availability of power...The towns that grew in the North were crowded, dirty and unregulated.
http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1981/2/81.02.06.x.html
7. Art and Literature
"The novel was possibly the most popular genre of the 19th century. Early 19th-century novels include those of English writer Jane Austen (including Sense and Sensibility, 1811 and Pride and Prejudice, 1813)."
http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/19th-century+English+literature
"[William] Blake is frequently referred to as a mystic, but this is not really accurate. He deliberately wrote in the style of the Hebrew prophets and apocalyptic writers. He envisioned his works as expressions of prophecy, following in the footsteps (or, more precisely strapping on the sandals) of Elijah and Milton. In fact, he clearly believed himself to be the living embodiment of the spirit of Milton."
http://www.gailgastfield.com/Blake.html
Knowing where the population grabbed inspiration from is very essential to the lives and lively-hood of the peoples in England. These are the some of the writings and paintings or images that added (in any small or great way) to the minds of revolution or lack thereof. William Blake saw himself as a prophet of sorts and this, in a way, parrallels the character of the prophetic Old Reaper who has a some-what apocolypitic view just like Blake.
8. Cooking and Food
"In 19th century American and British cookbooks, the names toffee and taffy appear to be used interchangeably to denote similar recipes. This confection also sometimes masked as "molasses candy" or "pulled molasses candy."
http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodcandy.html#cornsyrup
"A revolution in stoves, cookware and kitchen gadgets, combined with the discovery of canning and food sterilization techniques, open up endless possibilities for the motivated domestic servant who held the position of cook."
http://ezinearticles.com/?19th-Century-Food-And-Drink&id=793289
When dealing with poverty and hunger of the poor, one should be aware of the food innovations and cooking customs of the period. Candy became much more popular among the middle, working class as it was probably made in mass in shops or factories by the middle of the 19th century. More accessible was new foods, however the common home in smaller towns would not have the means to appreciate the advancements in cooking in their households.
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