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Home , Radical War

CURATOR’S CHOICE

WORDS: Graham Hogg Rare Books Curator

Two centuries after impoverished weavers were manipulated into rising up, we look back on… ’S RADICAL WAR

years ago, the system had been circulating in British coordinate nationwide action for the last armed society since the late 1700s, inspired by formation of a Scottish republic. However, uprising on the . From 1815, unrest government spies and provocateurs had British soil took had grown in England, culminating in infiltrated the radicals' meetings. The 200place, led by radical reformers in Scotland. 1819’s Peterloo Massacre in Manchester committee convened in a tavern in The events of April 1820, and their and the Cato Street conspiracy. ’s Gallowgate on 21 March, only aftermath, are not widely known today, Scotland had also been swept up in to be arrested and detained in secret. but profoundly influenced the political the movement for reform. Large protest With the committee out of the way, history of Scotland in the 19th century. meetings were held, mainly in weaving Government agents decided to entice The years leading up to the Radical areas in the . A rally in Paisley the radicals out into the open by printing War of 1820 were grim for the Scottish in September 1819 led to a week of a proclamation, supposedly from the working classes. The Napoleonic Wars rioting, and cavalry was used to control committee, calling for an uprising. The had exhausted Britain's finances. Food about 5,000 radicals. With the country proclamation, dated Glasgow 1 April 1820, was short due to poor harvests, and the seemingly on the brink of a revolution, urged workers to withdraw their labour Corn Laws prevented imports of cheap members of the Scottish establishment, and recover their rights: "Liberty or foreign wheat. The increasing use of such as Sir , were keen to Death is our motto and we have sworn to steam-powered machines led to skilled raise armed volunteer forces to counter return in triumph – or return no more!" It workers, such as weavers, feeling their any potential uprising. In December 1819, was distributed by enthusiastic radicals, livelihoods were threatened. Scott wrote to his son: "I am sure the unaware that they were actually Moreover, there was growing public dogs will not fight and I am sorry instruments of a Government plot. frustration with the undemocratic for it – One day's good kemping By 3 April there was a widespread British political system, where the vote [fighting] would cure them most strike in central Scotland. was denied to the vast majority of the radically of their radical malady.” In Glasgow, an undercover population, and cities such as Glasgow did Scott's prognosis was wrong; Government agent, John Craig, led not have a single MP. The unpopular King preparations were under a small group of armed radicals on George IV, who had ruled as regent until way for an armed uprising of a march to the Carron ironworks his father's death in January 1820, was Scottish radicals in early 1820. regarded as a dissolute spendthrift. A Committee for Organising Radical political ideas regarding a Provisional Government democracy and reform of the political had been formed to

WILLIAM HOWATT: One of the radicals (pictured right) who took part in the march from Strathaven to Glasgow with James Wilson. Howatt managed to return to Strathaven safely, having hidden his gun and bandolier when he saw soldiers on patrol and then pretending to be an ordinary weaver going about his business. He was never arrested. The original photograph must have been taken 30 to 40 years after the Radical War but Howatt is supposedly dressed and armed as he would have been in April 1820.

22 | DISCOVERDISCOVER | SPRING 2020 Large protest meetings were held, mainly in weaving areas in the Central Belt

near to capture some arms and killing eight people, cannon, only for them to be scattered by including an eight-year- a police patrol before they left the city. old child, and injuring Events took a more dramatic turn on 10 others. 4 and 5 April. Duncan Turner, the spy who The Government’s had issued the proclamation, mustered retribution was harsh; they a group of men in Glasgow to march wanted to make examples to the Carron works. He was careful to of the men they considered avoid participating in the march, asking ringleaders of the rising they a young weaver and ex-soldier, Andrew themselves had engineered. Hardie, to lead it. Turner gave Hardie half a The prisoners SCOTLAND’S piece of card, which would match exactly were tried in in July for with a half card held by another radical high treason, controversially, leader and ex-soldier, John Baird, waiting under English not Scots for him in , . law. Hardie and Baird were Hardie brought only 25 men to sentenced to death as traitors Condorrat, Baird only had around 10 with and hanged and decapitated in RADICAL WAR him, but they continued with their march, September. A similar fate had believing reinforcements were waiting befallen James Wilson in Glasgow for them near Falkirk. On 5 April, the men the previous month. reached Bonnymuir, a moor near the Nineteen radicals were village of , , only transported to the penal colony to be met by a small group of cavalry who of New South Wales. In 1822, EVENT had come to intercept them. The ensuing unemployed weavers were, at 'Battle of Bonnymuir' was a minor the suggestion of Sir Walter Scott, Gatherin up auld thrums – skirmish; the tired, hungry and poorly employed to construct a path commemorating the Radical War armed radicals were no match for trained around the base of Salisbury Crags soldiers, who routed them. Two soldiers in Edinburgh's Holyrood Park which • 1 APRIL 6–7.30pm, and four radicals were wounded and 18 became known as the 'Radical Road'. Kelvin Hall, Glasgow radicals, including Hardie and Baird, were Scotland did not experience such • 9 APRIL 2–3.30pm, taken prisoner and held at Stirling Castle. widespread political unrest during George IV Bridge, Edinburgh Meanwhile, in the town the rest of the 19th century, but the of Strathaven, a spy conned local radicals underlying movement for change did Join Mairi Breslin, Director of Coorie led by James 'Purlie' Wilson into thinking not go away. In 1832, the Government Creative CIC, and Rhona Alcorn, that a rising was successfully under way. was forced to pass a Scottish Reform Act Director of Scottish Language The following morning Wilson left for which extended the vote from 5,000 to Dictionaries, to explore the tradition Glasgow with a force of 25 men, carrying 65,000 adult men (out of a population of of handloom weaving and the a banner that declared “Scotland Free around two million) and ensured that significance of the psychology of the or a Desart [sic]”. They were tipped off Scottish towns and cities had some weavers’ lifestyle during their Rising. that an army ambush lay between them representation in Parliament. In 1835, the These events will be illuminated by and their destination at Cathkin. Wilson, Government granted an absolute pardon wonderful film and song, and will also sensing that the radicals had been for all the transported men. feature a live demonstration of hand betrayed, returned to Strathaven, while Over the last 200 years, the radicals weaving on a modern loom. There his men avoided the ambush and reached have been commemorated in Scotland. will also be an introduction to the their destination to find nothing was Monuments to the '1820 Martyrs' were Dictionary of the Scots Language as happening in Glasgow. By the following put up in Glasgow, Paisley and Strathaven a unique record of the language – and evening, the authorities had discovered in the 19th century, with a memorial to of the history, culture and traditions the identities of 10 group members, the Battle of Bonnymuir erected in 2007. – of Scotland’s weavers and their including Wilson, and arrested them. In 1978, the Scottish novelist James compatriots. For details and booking There was one final act to what became Kelman wrote a radio play Hardie and visit our website. known as the 'Radical War'. On 8 April the Baird. Interviewed for Scottish Review authorities tried to move a group of the of Books in 2012, Kelman noted: "There’s prisoners from Paisley to . The also the fact that to some extent Scottish citizens of Greenock, who had not been history is a radical history, it’s a history involved in any riots or demonstrations, in opposition to the mainstream. And attacked the soldiers escorting the radical history is marginalised, and not prisoners. The soldiers had to fight their necessarily taught… In other countries way out of the town as the crowd pelted everybody would know who Wilson, them with stones. They opened fire, Baird and Hardie were."

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HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT SCOTLAND’S

HERITAGE?

n Scotland’s story, the don’t provide us with copies of the magnetic tape is becoming spoken word is as precious material they produce, as is the increasingly expensive and difficult the written. That’s why the case with written and electronic to digitise. So, along with others, Library allocates significant formats. We don’t currently have we developed Scotland’s Sounds time, effort and energy a procedure for active acquisition WORDS: Network. It has more than 100 to preserving and promoting the but we do ask for donations or Stewart organisations, including libraries, I McRobert nation’s sound heritage. people offer us material. We museums and archives as well as And it’s not just spoken word receive all sorts of formats, from community groups and individuals but song, music and the sounds wax cylinder to digital audio tape.” who have an interest in recorded of nature. Although the Library has a sound and their own collection.” Alistair Bell is Sound Collections substantial and diverse collection Alistair and his colleagues Curator and he explained how the there is, in fact, no national sound organise projects, conduct training Library’s sound collection is built archive. Alistair said: “A few years and are involved in knowledge up: “Sound and moving images ago, it was suggested we address exchange, as well as profile-raising are not covered by our status as this situation since material was through the media. a legal deposit library. Publishers in danger of being lost. For example, Connecting Scotland’s Sounds was one project. It ran in 2016 and 2017 and saw training delivered to people in organisations that held MORE THAN PEOPLE sound collections. The aim was Scotland’s sound heritage is about enormous environmental change to build knowledge, confidence more than people. One collection there has been over the past and digitisation skills. It covered in the archive is from the Scottish 40 or 50 years. “You can visit a everything from identifying and Ornithologist Club. It includes spot where an original recording playing formats such as open reel nature and bird recordings, was made and find today’s sound tape to applying for funding for many of which are from the environment is completely digitisation projects. 1960s. Notably, they illustrate the different,” said Alistair. The project also involved promoting public engagement

24 | DISCOVERDISCOVER | SUMMERSPRING 2020 2019 with other collection holders. In one case, the team worked with Hawick Library, employing a 30-second oral history clip and iPad animation to engage local children. The result can be seen and heard on the Scotland’s Sounds website*. HEAR TO HELP In another project, they arranged Clockwise from top left: Whether a special evening at the Scottish it’s a vinyl record or a reel-to-reel tape, the treasures of the sound Fisheries Museum in . A archive require careful handling. researcher picked out fishing songs They are delicately cleaned and to be played in the museum space, a dilligently assessed before going through the digitising process former boatyard. Most who attended and being added to the Library’s were friends of the museum. It was catalogue. There are further checks before anything is made available for the first time they had gone through streaming or public performance. the museum with an accompanying soundtrack and it helped them see the exhibits in a new light. Alistair said: “Sound is engaging, emotive and can fire people’s imagination. It’s our task to engage people and communities across the country so they can enjoy and Though most of the Sound team is based at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow there is one make the most of our outstanding member, Angie Cook, based at George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. She is the Scotland’s sound heritage.” Sounds coordinator and focuses on communication and building partnerships within that network. * https://scotlands-sounds.nls.uk

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UNLOCKING OUR SOUND HERITAGE Several members of the is a major part of the digitised,” he said. “If we want to put Sound team have been project. The National material online we need a high level of specifically recruited Lottery Heritage Fund, detail in the cataloguing, which usually to work on this project, which supports means listening to most of the recording. which is led by the the project, has “Another challenge is the level of British Library. There given us a specific specificity. If it’s a group conversation, are hubs across volunteering target. I might not be able to identify all the the UK dedicated “As part of people involved. Luckily, on occasion, to digitising, our learning and the collection comes with associated cataloguing, clearing engagement activity documentation.” rights and providing we’ve recruited an access to sound k artist in residence who MEL REEVE RAWLINGS ar i P RIGHTS OFFICER recordings. Jen will use recordings from The Library represents the Scottish Ornithology Mel gains clearance for recordings that Scotland and has drawn Club. The artist – Val will go online. in collections from 17 organisations O’Regan from Birdhouse “As well as copyright around the country. Its partners range Studio in Argyll – will work clearance, we need to from Gairloch Heritage Museum and with children and staff comply with data Western Isles Libraries to National Trust from Inellan Primary protection legislation,” for Scotland, the BBC and others. School near Dunoon she explained. A substantial amount of digitisation as well as Benmore “I contact the has been completed and some Botanic Gardens.” rights holders, cleared clips are on the Scotland’s who can include Sounds website. CONOR the interviewer, Alistair said: “Among other things, WALKER interviewee, and any we’re ensuring all magnetic tape is AUDIO PRESERVATION organisation involved r ENGINEER e k digitised over the next 10 years. The cost al in the recording, to W of digitising tape will become prohibitive Conor converts or gain permission. Con as machines become rarer and more material from analogue “For data protection, expensive, parts are harder to buy and to digital. He operates from I assess the recordings the skills and knowledge to a uniquely equipped for ‘damage and distress’. If maintain the equipment is studio at Kelvin Hall. a recording we put online features dying out.” He said: “A lot of this someone who is identifiable, we must The team material is approaching make sure the recording does not cause members include: obsolescence that person damage or distress.” and requires a JENI PARK certain amount of NICOLA READE HUB PROJECT preservation. But ALEXANDER GRAHAM TRAINEE MANAGER we need to balance “Before we digitise any shellac or vinyl Jeni liaises that with the need recording, we have to clean it,” explained with collection to process a huge Nicola. “That’s one of my tasks. partners and is the amount in a limited “The next stage involves selecting the ith line manager for m timescale. stylus. When you are transferring the b S cataloguing, rights and Ro “The open reel tape recording, you have to establish who sound engineering. She’s machines we use are originally cut the disc; that determines responsible for learning and from the late 1970s the best parameters for engagement, volunteers and the and they include former the sound. project outputs. She said: “Volunteering BBC machines that are “I also work creatively very robust.” with the archive. One aim is to create ‘listening ROB SMITH stations’ that get A lot of this CATALOGUING sounds back into their material is COORDINATOR original environment. Rob catalogues That might mean approaching material that has having a listening obsolescence and been digitised using station playing puffin a method developed e sounds at the site of a d ea by the British Library. R former puffin colony, or ola requires an amount “One big challenge Nic a recording of a music hall of preservation is keeping pace with the act playing at the site of a amount of material being former theatre.”

26 | DISCOVER | SPRING 2020 P.B.F.A. BOOK FAIRS IN SCOTLAND 2020

MAY ‘20 AUGUST ‘20 OCTOBER ‘20 Sat 23 Sat 1 Sun 25 SCOTTISH GLAMIS Aberdeen BORDERS Bridge View House Hilton Treetops Corn Exchange Glamis, Glamis Hotel, 161 Road, Market DD8 1QU Springfield Road Square, Melrose, 10am-5pm. £1 AB15 7AQ 10am-4.30pm. £1 TD6 9PN Sun 2 10am-4.30pm. £1 BALLATER For more Vicoria Hall, information on JUNE ‘20 Station Square, P.B.F.A bookfairs, Sat 13 Ballater AB35 5QB please visit the EDINBURGH 10am-5pm. £1 website or contact Augustine Church us using the Hall, 41 George IV SEPTEMBER ‘20 details below. Bridge, Edinburgh Sat 19 EH1 1EL EDINBURGH 10am-5pm. £1 Augustine Church Hall, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL 10am-5pm. £1

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