IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0074 ACC/1264
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: GORDON RIOTS
Date(s): 1780
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 0.01 linear metres
Name of creator(s): Unknown.
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The Gordon Riots took place in June 1780. On 2 June a 50,000 person crowd assembled in St George's Fields, Southwark, to protest against the repeal of anti-Roman Catholic laws. The march had been organised by Lord George Gordon, MP, leader of the Protestant Association, but he lost control of the crowds. Protestors broke away and began looting and burning Roman Catholic chapels. By 5 June the rioters lost interest in Roman Catholic targets and began general destruction, attacking prisons including Newgate, Clerkenwell, the Fleet, King's Bench and Borough Clink and setting the inmates free. Houses and businesses were attacked; including Downing Street. The crowd stormed the Bank of England but were repelled. On 6 June all was quiet again. Lord Gordon was arrested and tried for high treason but was acquitted. 21 ringleaders were hanged. An estimated 850 people died in the chaos.
Information from The London Encyclopaedia, eds. Weinreb and Hibbert (LMA Library Reference 67.2 WEI).
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Description of the distribution of army patrols in and around London during the Gordon Riots, June 1780.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
One item.
Conditions governing access:
Available for general access.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.
Physical characteristics:
Fit
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Records deposited in November 1974.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Related material:
See COL/AC for more material relating to the Gordon Riots.
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Date(s) of descriptions: June to August 2010.