Why was there a problem with catering for the poor? In the 20th century, widespread provisions were finally made for poor relief, protecting those who were unwell, elderly and unemployed. Early developments in providing for the poor were based on those who were considered ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’, ideas which are still prevalent in modern society. … Read more
“We are driven into a shed, iron-barred from end to end, outside of which a foreman or contractor walks up and down with the air of a dealer in a cattle market, picking and choosing from a crowd of men, who, in their eagerness to obtain employment, trample each other underfoot, and where like beasts … Read more
In this series of blog posts we are showcasing the work from GCSE and A-Level students who have worked with the Citizens Project to research and write blog posts on key moments of protest and reform throughout British history. In this blog post Calum Laurie, a pupil at Cambourne Village College tells us about the 1832 Great … Read more
In this series of blog posts we are showcasing the work from GCSE and A-Level students who have worked with the Citizens Project to research and write blog posts on key moments of protest and reform throughout British history. In this blog post Calum Laurie, a pupil at Cambourne Village College, explores the reasons behind the 1819 … Read more
“Every man has an unequivocal right to enquire and judge for himself, – to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience, – to vindicate his own principles, and to invite others to embrace them.”[1] So noted by Baptist Thomas Williams in an essay titled ‘On Intolerance in Religion’ published in 1816. The mainstay … Read more
Saturday morning, 23 March 1829 became a significant day in England; it was the last time a sitting Prime Minister was to be involved in a duel – which took place on the Battersea-fields in the early hours of the morning. The Duke of Wellington, incumbent PM, had challenged Lord Winchilsea to ‘that which a … Read more
Every year for one weekend in July, the small village of Tolpuddle, Dorset is flooded with tourists, socialists, politicians and representatives from a host of British Trade Unions. These visitors, numbering in their thousands, flock to the area to ‘celebrate the start of trade unionism’ and remember the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs.[1] On the … Read more
Address to the Women of Portsmouth, July 1870 In the second half of the nineteenth century, British feminists expressed concern about the sexual double standard. One of their greatest victories was the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts (CDAs) in 1886. The first Act was passed in 1864, followed by others in 1866 and 1869. … Read more
Leila Rendel (1882-1969) was a social worker and children’s campaigner. She co-founded the Caldecott Community, a pioneering boarding school, which cares for distressed and vulnerable children. Rendel came from a well-connected London family. Her father was William Rendel, a civil engineer, and her mother was the daughter of a well-known Victorian publisher, Kegan Paul. Rendel … Read more
Throughout British history, those fighting in the armed forces have often experienced violations of their human rights. Until the nineteenth century this was rarely considered an important issue. However, since the nineteenth century, the small area of Easthampstead in Berkshire has produced several people who have stood up and fought for these rights, including John … Read more
