Tolpuddle Collection

Tolpuddle Martyrs / 1834
Four of the six Tolpuddle Martyrs, transported to Australia for forming a Trade Union

Posters warning those guilty of illegal oaths were liable to deportation, (1834), 1934
Posters warning that people found guilty of uttering illegal oaths were liable to deportation, 1834. On 24th February 1834 local landowners in Dorsetput up posters warning that people found guilty of

Tolpuddle Demonstration
A demonstration in support of the Tolpuddle Martyrs held at Copenhagen Fields, London on April 21, 1834

Map showing the placings in Australia of The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers
5614433 Map showing the placings in Australia of The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for

A Hobart chain-gang, a group of prisoners chained together to perform menial or physically challenging work as a form
5614423 A Hobart chain-gang, a group of prisoners chained together to perform menial or physically challenging work as a form of punishment; (add.info.: A Hobart chain-gang)

Lieutenant-General Sir George Arthur, 1st Baronet, 1784-1854
5614422 Lieutenant-General Sir George Arthur, 1st Baronet, 1784-1854; (add.info.: Lieutenant-General Sir George Arthur, 1st Baronet, 1784-1854)

Map showing the arrest and transportation to Australia and Tasmania of the Tolpuddle Labourers, 1834
5614420 Map showing the arrest and transportation to Australia and Tasmania of the Tolpuddle Labourers, 1834; (add.info.: Map showing the arrest and transportation to Australia)

Trade Unionism: Demonstration in Copenhagen Fields, London 21 April 1834 in protest against the deportation of
537190 Trade Unionism: Demonstration in Copenhagen Fields, London 21 April 1834 in protest against the deportation of the Tolpuddle Martyrs

Facsimile of a letter from the wives of the Tolpuddle Martyrs to Lord John Russell thanking him for his part in
5614432 Facsimile of a letter from the wives of the Tolpuddle Martyrs to Lord John Russell thanking him for his part in bringing about the pardons for their husbands; (add.info)

Joseph Hume, 1777-1855
5614426 Joseph Hume, 1777-1855; (add.info.: Joseph Hume, 1777-1855. Scottish doctor and Radical MP. From The Martyrs of Tolpuddle, published 1934.); Photo © Hilary Morgan.

Map showing the placings in Canada of The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who
5614436 Map showing the placings in Canada of The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for

William Cobbett , 1763-1835
5614425 William Cobbett , 1763-1835; (add.info.: William Cobbett , 1763-1835. English pamphleteer, farmer, journalist and member of parliament)

Public notice advising caution to people thinking of joining illegal societies or unions, early 19th century
5614415 Public notice advising caution to people thinking of joining illegal societies or unions, early 19th century; (add.info)

A religious book belonging to John, brother of James Hammett
3119352 A religious book belonging to John, brother of James Hammett; (add.info.: A religious book belonging to John Hammett, brother of James Hammett, a member of the Tolpuddle Martyrs)

Aa street in the village of Tolpuddle, 1865 (engraving)
5616376 Aa street in the village of Tolpuddle, 1865 (engraving); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Facsimile of free pardon granted to George Loveless, one of the Tolpuddle Martyrs
5614439 Facsimile of free pardon granted to George Loveless, one of the Tolpuddle Martyrs; (add.info.: Facsimile of free pardon granted to George Loveless, one of the Tolpuddle Martyrs)

Harvesting at Tolpuddle, Dorset, England in the 19th century
5614409 Harvesting at Tolpuddle, Dorset, England in the 19th century; (add.info.: Harvesting at Tolpuddle, Dorset, England in the 19th century)

Map showing the route of the demonstration at Copenhagen Fields, London, England 21 April 1834 in protest against
5614428 Map showing the route of the demonstration at Copenhagen Fields, London, England 21 April 1834 in protest against the deportation of the Tolpuddle Martyrs; (add.info)

A letter received by James Loveless from his brother George Loveless dated September 10, 1834
5614424 A letter received by James Loveless from his brother George Loveless dated September 10, 1834; (add.info.: A letter received by James Loveless from his brother George Loveless dated September)

George Loveless, 1797-1874
5614435 George Loveless, 1797-1874; (add.info.: George Loveless, 1797-1874. Dorchester labourer and Tolpuddle martyr. The Tolpuddle Martyrs)

The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs
5614417 The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs; (add.info.: The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs)

A convict being flogged with a cat-o-nine-tails, (1834), 1984
A convict being flogged with a cat-o-nine-tails. In 1867 Parliament abolished flogging in the services. From The Book of The Martyrs of Tolpuddle: 1834-1934

England, Dorset, Tolpuddle, Row of Thatched Roof Houses

England, Dorset, Tolpuddle, Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum

Tolpuddle Ridden By W.M.Lordan Craven Meeting, Newmarket Rowley Mile Course, Newmarket, England 19 April 2006 Date: 19 April 2006

The Brine Bath on board a prison hulk in the early 19th century. The brine bath aka coffin bath was where the prisoners were put after being flogged

Petition by Trade Unionists to the King in Copenhagen Fields, 21st April 1834
GHL6250 Petition by Trade Unionists to the King in Copenhagen Fields, 21st April 1834, engraved by W.Summers, 1836 by Summers, W

Meeting of the Trade Unionists in Copenhagen Fields, 21st April 1834 (engraving)
GHL55823 Meeting of the Trade Unionists in Copenhagen Fields, 21st April 1834 (engraving) by Summers, W. (fl.1833); London Metropolitan Archives

Robert Owen, 1834 (oil on canvas)
3740340 Robert Owen, 1834 (oil on canvas) by Brooke, William Henry (1772-1860); 27.3x21.6 cm; National Portrait Gallery, London, UK; (add.info.: Robert Owen (1771-1858) Welsh social reformer

Churchyard at Tolpuddle showing James Hammetts grave, 1934. The Church of St John The Evangelist, Tolpuddle. In the foreground we see the grave of James Hammett (1811 -1891)

The Homecoming, (1838), 1934
The Homecoming of the Tolpuddle Martyres, March 17, 1838. The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of 19th century agricultural labourers from Dorset who were convicted of swearing a secret oath as members

Branding of a Convict, (1829), 1934
Branding of a Convict on board a convict ship. Branding become obsolete, and it was abolished in 1829 except in the case of deserters

The Tolpuddle Memorial at the Tolpuddle Methodist Chapel, 1934. The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of 19th century agricultural labourers from Dorset who were convicted of swearing a secret oath as

Harvesting at Tolpuddle, (1824), 1934
Harvesting at Tolpuddle. The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of 19th century agricultural labourers from Dorset who were convicted of swearing a secret oath as members of the Friendly Society of

William Cobbett, 1763 - 1835. English pamphleteer, farmer, journalist and member of parliament. From The Martyrs of Tolpuddle, published 1934

The Australian prison hulk Success. Prison hulks were decommissioned ships that authorities used as floating prisons in the 18th and 19th centuries. From The Martyrs of Tolpuddle, published 1934

The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Prison hulks were decommissioned ships that authorities used as floating prisons in the 18th and 19th centuries

George Loveless, 1797-1874. Dorchester labourer and Tolpuddle martyr. The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for

A contemporary impression of four of the Tolpuddle Martyrs after their return from penal servitude in Australia in 1836. Left to right, James Brine, Thomas Stanfield, John Stanfield, James Loveless

Joseph Hume, 1777 - 1855. Scottish doctor and Radical MP. From The Martyrs of Tolpuddle, published 1934

Lieutenant-General Sir George Arthur, 1st Baronet, 1784 - 1854. Lieutenant Governor of British Honduras (1814-1822), Van Diemens Land (now the State of Tasmania)

The Gallery on board The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Prison hulks were decommissioned ships that authorities used as floating prisons in the 18th

The washing room on board The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Prison hulks were decommissioned ships that authorities used as floating prisons in the 18th

Map showing the placings in Australia of The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for

George Loveless, 1797-1874. Dorchester labourer and Tolpuddle martyr. The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for

Demonstration at Copenhagen Fields, London, England 21 April 1834 in protest against the deportation of the Tolpuddle Martyrs

Facsimile of free pardon granted to George Loveless, one of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for

Map showing the placings in Canada of The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Tolpuddle: A Historic Village of Martyrs and Resilience" Step back in time to 1834, when the Tolpuddle Martyrs made their mark on history. These brave men stood up for their rights as agricultural workers, forming a trade union known as the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers. However, their fight for fair wages and better working conditions was met with harsh opposition. Posters warning against illegal oaths were plastered across the village, threatening deportation to those who dared challenge the status quo. The year 1834 marked a turning point in this struggle, but it wasn't until a century later that justice prevailed. Fast forward to 1934; Tolpuddle witnessed an inspiring demonstration commemorating the resilience of these martyrs. The echoes of past injustice reverberated through time as images emerged depicting convicts being flogged with cat-o-nine-tails – a chilling reminder of the brutality they endured. Today, Tolpuddle stands proudly in Dorset, England - its picturesque row of thatched roof houses telling tales from centuries gone by. Within its boundaries lies the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum—a testament to courage and sacrifice—where visitors can delve into this remarkable chapter in British labor history. Passing through Martyrs Gate is like stepping into another era; an atmospheric black-and-white photograph captures its timeless essence. It serves as a poignant reminder that even amidst adversity, hope endures. The spirit of unity lives on within Tolpuddle's soil—the very ground where trade unionists gathered on April 21st, 1834. Their petition to King William IV at Copenhagen Fields reflects unwavering determination etched onto paper—an indelible mark left by those who fought for justice. Engraved illustrations depict meetings held during this pivotal moment—a visual representation capturing both strength and solidarity among workers striving for change.