Tolpuddle Martyrs Collection

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

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

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)

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

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)

The Tolpuddle Martyrs
3119343 The Tolpuddle Martyrs; (add.info.: Illustration of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th Century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for)

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)

Record of the conviction of several of the Tolpuddle Martyrs
3119342 Record of the conviction of several of the Tolpuddle Martyrs; (add.info.: Record of the conviction of several of the Tolpuddle Martyrs a group of 19th century English agricultural labourers)

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, Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum

The brine bath (litho)
3099605 The brine bath (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The brine bath. Illustration for The Book of the Martyrs of Tolpuddle (TUC, 1934)

Homecoming of the Tolpuddle Martyrs (litho)
3099603 Homecoming of the Tolpuddle Martyrs (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Homecoming of the Tolpuddle Martyrs)

George Loveless, Tolpuddle martyr, on the coach at Salisbury (litho)
3099599 George Loveless, Tolpuddle martyr, on the coach at Salisbury (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: George Loveless, Tolpuddle martyr)

Branding a convict (litho)
3099604 Branding a convict (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Branding a convict. Illustration for The Book of the Martyrs of Tolpuddle (TUC, 1934)

Dorchester, 1898. Creator: Unknown
Dorchester, 1898. Dorchester, historic market town in Dorset near the River Frome, site of the " Bloody Assizes" presided over by Judge Jeffreys after the Monmouth Rebellion

A Contemporary Impression of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, (1838), 1934
A Contemporary Impression of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, 1838. After an illustration origionally in the Cleaves Penny Gazette. The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of 19th century agricultural labourers

The Mutiny Act, 1797, 1934
The Mutiny Act, 1797. The Mutiny act was pivotal in the conviction of the Tolpuddle Martyres. The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of 19th century agricultural labourers from Dorset who were convicted

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

Letter written to Home Secretary John Russell (1792-1878) by the wives of the Tolpuddle Martyrs
The letter written to Home Secretary John Russell (1792-1878) by the wives of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, 1836. The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of 19th century agricultural labourers from Dorset who

Route of the protest march to free the Tolpuddle Martyrs, (1834), 1934
The route that the protest march to free the Tolpuddle Martyrs took. A vast demonstration took place on 21st April 1834 with up to 100, 000 people taking part

The brine bath, (1834), 1934
The brine bath - administered to prisoners who had been flogged, to prevent infection. From The Book of The Martyrs of Tolpuddle: 1834-1934, published by The Trades Union Congress General Council

George Loveless (1797-1874) in chains from Dorchester to a prison, (1834), 1934
George Loveless (1797-1874) in chains at Salisbury, during his journey from Dorchester to a prison hulk, the York at Portsmouth to await transportation, 1834

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

Demonstration in Copenhagen Fields, London 21 April 1834. Artist: W Summers
Demonstration in Copenhagen Fields, London 21 April 1834. This was a protest against the deportation of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, the Dorset agricultural workers deported to Australia for association

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

Map showing the placings in Australia of 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

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

A letter received by James Loveless from his brother George Loveless dated September 10, 1834. George Loveless, 1797-1874. Dorchester labourer and Tolpuddle martyr

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

The Homecoming of The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for and convicted of swearing a secret oath as members of the Friendly Society of

Map showing the route of the demonstration at Copenhagen Fields, London, England 21 April 1834 in protest against the deportation of the Tolpuddle Martyrs

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The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of six agricultural laborers from the village of Tolpuddle in Dorset, England, became symbols of working-class resistance and solidarity. In 1834, they formed a trade union to demand fair wages amidst dire economic conditions. However, their actions were deemed illegal under the Unlawful Oaths Act. Posters warning against taking illegal oaths were displayed throughout the country in 1834. Those found guilty faced deportation as punishment for their defiance. Fast forward to 1934; these posters serve as haunting reminders of a dark chapter in history. One chilling image from that time depicts a convict being flogged with a cat-o-nine-tails—a brutal form of corporal punishment inflicted upon those who dared challenge authority. This image resurfaced again in 1984, serving as an unsettling reminder of past atrocities. Today, visitors can explore the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum located in Tolpuddle itself—an essential pilgrimage site for anyone interested in social justice and workers' rights movements. The museum stands as a testament to the sacrifices made by these brave individuals who fought for better living conditions and fair treatment. A black-and-white photograph captures Martyrs Gate—the entrance through which these courageous men passed on their way to trial—evoking both admiration and sorrow at their plight. Other lithographs depict significant moments related to this historic event: George Loveless, one of the martyrs himself, sitting stoically on a coach at Salisbury; branding iron searing into flesh during convict branding; scenes depicting homecoming after years spent unjustly imprisoned—all vivid snapshots that transport us back to that tumultuous era. In Dorchester's archives lies another mysterious photograph taken around 1898—a snapshot whose creator remains unknown but serves as yet another piece of evidence documenting this pivotal moment in British labor history. An impression from 1838 offers contemporary insight into how people perceived the Tolpuddle Martyrs at the time.