# Cinderloo Uprising

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1821 killings by British troops in Telford

Cinderloo Uprising Date 2 February 1821 (1821-02-02) Caused by Post-Napoleonic depression Pay cuts Goals Restoration of pay levels Methods Strike action Result Riot Parties Striking miners and their supporters South Shropshire Yeomanry Casualties Deaths 2 (plus one hanged subsequently) Charged Thomas Palin (hanged) Samuel Hayward (reprieved) Seven others (hard labour)

The **Cinderloo Uprising** took place at Old Park in the [Coalbrookdale Coalfield](/source/Coalbrookdale_Coalfield) (present day [Telford](/source/Telford)) on 2 February 1821, when the [South Shropshire Yeomanry](/source/Shropshire_Yeomanry) confronted a crowd of 3,000 mostly striking workers who had gathered to protest the continued lowering of their pay.[1][2]

When requested to disperse following the reading of the [Riot Act](/source/Riot_Act), the workers refused to do so, and pelted the Yeomanry with stones and lumps of cinders. In response the Yeomanry, led by Lieutenant Colonel Edward Cludde, opened fire on the crowd.

The uprising resulted in the deaths of three miners, two of whom were killed outright whilst another, Thomas Palin, was hanged for his participation in the disturbance on 7 April 1821.

The name Cinderloo derives from the similar [Peterloo Massacre](/source/Peterloo_Massacre) which had taken place in Manchester just 18 months beforehand. Peterloo had itself been named after the [Battle of Waterloo](/source/Battle_of_Waterloo) which had ended the [Napoleonic Wars](/source/Napoleonic_Wars).

## Background

The end of the [Napoleonic Wars](/source/Napoleonic_Wars) in 1815 brought with it [a period of economic depression](/source/Post-Napoleonic_depression) across the United Kingdom. Twinned with this, the [Coalbrookdale Coalfields](/source/Coalbrookdale_Coalfield) had begun to enter into a period of industrial stagnation and suffered competition from the [iron works and coal production industries of South Wales](/source/Coal_industry_in_Wales) and from the neighbouring [Black Country](/source/Black_Country).[3][4]

Facing industrial decline and competition from more productive coalfields, local [ironmasters](/source/Ironmaster), including men such as [Thomas Botfield](/source/Thomas_Botfield), made an illegal pact to reduce the pay of their workers by 6d per day in order to compensate for their losses,[5] announcing to their workers on 31 January 1821 that the pay reductions were necessary on the grounds of 'stagnation of trade' and the falling value of iron.[6]

## Collier strike

In response to the lowering of their wages, colliers across the Coalbrookdale Coalfields went on strike on 1 February 1821 in order to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the reductions being made to their pay. Production across the area was halted. A large body of men marched to ironworks at [Madeley Wood](/source/Madeley%2C_Shropshire) and [Dawley](/source/Dawley), blowing out all the furnaces, damaging machinery, and inciting non-striking workers to join in.[6]

The following day saw the strike continue. At that point it was considered necessary for county magistrates to call out the local yeomanry, initially two troops of the South Shropshire Yeomanry based at [Wellington](/source/Wellington%2C_Shropshire) under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Cludde, to aid the civil power.[6]

Striking colliers, many armed with sticks and bludgeons, left the ironworks at [Donnington](/source/Donnington%2C_Telford) before moving on to halt the production of the furnaces at Old Park, about three miles from Wellington. Following this the crowd, now numbering between 300 and 400 people, moved on to the ironworks in Lightmoor, Dawley, and [Horsehay](/source/Horsehay).[7] The striking colliers had intended to end their march at [Coalbrookdale](/source/Coalbrookdale) yet word of the strike had reached the Yeomanry. Instead of continuing on to the ironworks of Coalbrookdale the crowd returned to the furnaces at Old Park.

By this point the size of the strike had swelled to an estimated 3,000 people including many women and children.[6]

## Arrival of the Yeomanry

By the mid afternoon the Yeomanry arrived to break up the crowd which had gathered at Old Park near two industrial spoil heaps known as the 'Cinders Hills'.[6] As the magistrate, Thomas Eyton, began to read the [Riot Act](/source/Riot_Act) out to the crowd, ordering that they dissipate and return home, the mob refused to do so and the strikers responded by hurling rocks and cinders at the troops that had arrived to assist in their dispersal.[8] An hour later the Yeomanry moved forward to arrest the ringleaders of the strike yet came under continued assault from the crowd. At this point Colonel Cludde gave the order for 'the cavalry to advance, to endeavour to disperse them'.[9]

The advance made by the cavalry resulted in the arrest of eight strikers who were removed from the crowd and were prepared for transportation to nearby Wellington in order to stand trial. Yet when the Yeomanry began to transport those detained away from the strike they came under a relentless shower of stones and cinders. In the confusion two of those being transported away managed to escape. In retaliation Colonel Cludde gave the command for the Yeomanry to open fire on the crowd.[6]

The Yeomanry opened fire on the crowd instantly killing William Bird, an 18 year old collier. By the time the crowd dispersed the Yeomanry had arrested the eight strikers.[10] Another collier, Thomas Gittens, and possibly one other unnamed man, later died as a result of the wounds he received.[11] Thomas Palin, singled out as the ringleader of the disturbances by the authorities, was later arrested after he sought treatment from a local doctor for a bullet wound he received.

An unknown number of strikers were wounded following the response of the local Yeomanry to the unrest. The Yeomanry reported a number of injuries as a result of the rocks and cinders hurled at them, however the most serious injury suffered by them came as a result of a misfired [pistol](/source/Flintlock) going off in the holster of a cavalryman, injuring his leg.[12]

## Aftermath

On 3 February, Colonel Cludde was sent reinforcements by a troop of his own regiment from [Halesowen](/source/Halesowen) (then an exclave of Shropshire within [Worcestershire](/source/Worcestershire)), both troops of the separately commanded Shrewsbury Yeomanry cavalry, and staff from the county militia.[6]

On 4 February military presence in the area was increased to prevent any further outbreaks of violence. Three troops of the South Shropshire Yeomanry were stationed in the coalfields alongside a troop of the [6th Dragoon Guards](/source/Carabiniers_(6th_Dragoon_Guards)),[13] who had arrived at [Shifnal](/source/Shifnal). This prevented the rioters assembling in large bodies although "numerous small parties spread themselves over the neighbourhood, begging, robbing and destroying property".[6] The rioters gradually quietened, enabling the yeomanry troops to be sent home by 6 February.[14]

The initial dispute which had caused the riot was resolved soon after, with some ironmasters agreeing to reduce the daily pay of the workers by 4d instead of 6d.[15]

An inquest into the deaths of William Bird and Thomas Gittens resulted in a jury returning a verdict of [justifiable homicide](/source/Justifiable_homicide) on 6 February.[6]

Of the nine arrested, seven were sentenced to nine months [hard labour](/source/Penal_labour) whilst Thomas Palin and Samuel Hayward were sentenced to [death by hanging](/source/Hanging) for the crime of felonious riot. Hayward managed to secure a reprieve on 2 April and avoided the death sentence.[16] Thomas Palin was [executed](/source/Hanging) for his role in the strike on 7 April.[17]

## Legacy

The Cinderloo Uprising has been the subject of a number of songs. Notably the event forms the basis of the song "We've had enough" by local band Savannah.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

A bridge connecting [Telford Railway Station](/source/Telford_Central_railway_station) and [Telford Town Centre](/source/Telford_Shopping_Centre) has also been referred to as "Cinderloo Bridge" by some residents of the town.[18]

In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Cinderloo, [Telford and Wrekin Council](/source/Telford_and_Wrekin_Council) renamed a bridge on the [Silkin Way](/source/Silkin_Way) "Cinderloo Bridge".[19][20]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** "Disturbances Near Wellington". *Salopian Journal*. 7 February 1821.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Growcott, Mat (6 October 2018). ["The riot that Telford forgot: New group trying to raise awareness of Cinderloo uprising"](https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/telford/2018/10/06/the-riot-that-telford-forgot--new-group-trying-to-raise-awareness-of-cinderloo-uprising/). *Shropshire Star*. Retrieved 18 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Raistrick, Arthur (1989). *Dynasty of Iron Founders: the Darbys and Coalbrookdale*. Coalbrookdale: Sessions Book Trust/Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85072-058-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85072-058-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Trinder, Barrie (2000). *The Industrial Revolution in Shropshire* (Third ed.). Chichester: Phillimore. p. 159. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780750967877](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780750967877).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** "Fatal Riot". *Shrewsbury Chronicle*. 9 February 1821.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-shropyeo1_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-shropyeo1_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-shropyeo1_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-shropyeo1_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-shropyeo1_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-shropyeo1_6-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-shropyeo1_6-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-shropyeo1_6-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-shropyeo1_6-8) Gladstone, E.W. (1953). *The Shropshire Yeomanry 1795-1945, the Story of a Volunteer Cavalry Regiment*. The Whitethorn Press. p. 21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Mercer, A. C. B (January 1966). "Cinderloo Affair". *Shropshire Magazine*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Trinder, Barrie (2000). *The Industrial Revolution in Shropshire* (Third ed.). Chichester: Phillimore. pp. 232–233. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781860771330](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781860771330).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Cludde, W (4 February 1821). *to H.O*. PRO HO 40/16/15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** "The Wellington Rioters". *Shrewsbury Chronicle*. 30 March 1821.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** The account on page 21 of *The Shropshire Yeomanry* by E.W. Gladstone, states "One of the rioters was killed and several wounded, *two* more would die afterwards" [emphasis added].

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** "Disturbances near Wellington". *Salopian Journal*. 7 February 1821.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Talbot, Phillip (Spring 2001). "The English Yeomanry In The Nineteenth Century And The Great Boer War". *Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research*. **79** (317): 48.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** E. W. Gladstone, *The Shropshire Yeomanry 1795–1945*, p. 22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Trinder, Barrie (2000). *The Industrial Revolution in Shropshire* (3 ed.). Chichester: Phillimore. p. 233. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781860771330](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781860771330).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** "Trial of the Colliers". *Salopian Journal*. 28 March 1821.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** "Execution". *Salopian Journal*. 11 April 1821.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Growcott, Mat (26 February 2019). ["'Cinderloo Bridge'?: Campaigners call for Telford's new £10 million footbridge to be named after 1821 uprising"](https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/telford/2019/02/26/campaigners-call-for-telfords-new-10-footbridge-to-be-named-after-cinderloo-uprising/). *Shropshire Star*. Retrieved 18 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Telford bridge renamed Cinderloo to mark 200th anniversary"](https://web.archive.org/web/20211128061021/https://newsroom.telford.gov.uk/News/Details/15623). *Newsroom*. Telford and Wrekin Council. 1 February 2021. Archived from [the original](http://newsroom.telford.gov.uk/News/Details/15623) on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Bentley, Charlotte. ["Telford bridge renamed 'Cinderloo' after historic uprising"](https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/telford/2021/02/01/telford-bridge-renamed-cinderloo-after-historic-uprising/). *Shropshire Star*. Retrieved 4 February 2021.

## External links

- [Cinderloo Remembered](https://cinderloo.com/)

- [Dawley Heritage page](http://www.dawleyheritage.co.uk/timeline/66/cinderloo-riots)

v t e Riots in England 12th–17th centuries 1189–1190 Massacres of the Jews The revolt of 1196 1355 St Scholastica Day riot 1381 Peasants' Revolt Treason Act 1381 1517 Evil May Day 1668 Bawdy House riots 18th century 1710 Sacheverell riots 1714 Coronation riots 1715 England riots Riot Act 1766 food riots 1766 Nottingham cheese riot 1768 Massacre of St George's Fields 1769 Spitalfield riots 1780 Gordon riots 1791 Priestley riots 1793 Bristol Bridge riot 1795 Revolt of the housewives 19th century 1809 Old Price riots 1816 Spa Fields riots 1816 Ely and Littleport riots 1819 Peterloo Massacre 1821 Cinderloo Uprising 1830 Swing riots Captain Swing 1831 reform riots 1831 Bristol riots 1832 Days of May 1838 Battle of Bossenden Wood 1842 Pottery Riots 1865 Leeds dripping riot 1866 Hyde Park demonstration 1887 Bloody Sunday 1896 Newlyn riots 20th century 1900s–1940s 1907 Brown Dog riots 1919 Epsom riot 1919 Battle of Bow Street 1919 Luton Peace Day riots 1932 Old Market riot (Bristol) 1932 National Hunger March 1936 Battle of Cable Street 1943 Battle of Bamber Bridge 1944 Park Street riot 1945 Aldershot riot 1950s–1970s 1958 Notting Hill race riots 1968 student riots 1970 Garden House riot 1974 Red Lion Square disorders 1975 Chapeltown riot 1977 Battle of Lewisham 1979 Death of Blair Peach 1980s 1980 St Pauls riot 1981 England riots 1981 Brixton riot 1981 Chapeltown riots 1981 Toxteth riots 1981 Moss Side riot 1981 Handsworth riots 1985 Handsworth riots 1985 Brixton riot 1985 Broadwater Farm riot Murder of Keith Blakelock 1987 Chapeltown riot 1989 Dewsbury riot 1990s 1990 Poll Tax riots 1990 Strangeways Prison riot 1991 Meadow Well riots 1991 Handsworth riots 1992 Hartcliffe riot (Bristol) 1993 Welling riots 1994 Criminal Justice Bill riot 1995 Manningham riot 1995 Marsh Farm riot 1995 Brixton riot 1996 Trafalgar Square riots 1999 Carnival Against Capital riot 21st century 2000s 2001 Bradford riots 2001 Oldham riots 2001 Harehills riot 2005 Birmingham riots 2009 G20 London summit protests Death of Ian Tomlinson 2009 Upton Park riot 2010s 2010 UK student protests 2011 Stokes Croft riot (Bristol) 2011 UK anti-austerity protests 2011 London anti-cuts protest 2011 England riots Killing of Mark Duggan House of Reeves fire Timeline 2020s George Floyd protests in the United Kingdom Actions against memorials in the United Kingdom during the George Floyd protests 2022 Leicester unrest 2024 Harehills riot 2024 United Kingdom riots Reports 1981 Scarman report Related Riots in Leeds Riots in London Riot Act Public Order Act 1986 Territorial Support Group

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cinderloo Uprising](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinderloo_Uprising) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinderloo_Uprising?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.