THE CLERKENWELL RIOT The Killing of Constable Culley

Hardback. The year 1833 was turbulent, the working classes strove for recognition in a changing social order. Naturally clashes occurred, often with bloodshed. On May 13th, a political meeting off the Gray's Inn Road, London, was declared illegal by the Government and police were ordered to disperse the crowd. During the fracas a police officer was stabbed to death. At the ensuing inquest tempers were frayed and the jury returned a perverse verdict that the stabbing was justifiable. The killer was never traced. The affair attracted nation-wide interest, there were meetings and a Parliamentary inquiry. Most extraordinary of all, a section of the public hailed the jury as heroes, they were wined and dined and presented with medals and cups. But the furore soon died down; who has heard of the Cold Bath Fields today? The author examines the implications of this minor riot and introduces the personalities who played a part in a midsummer madness. Illus. + Map, Sources and Index. 188pp. 8vo. h/back. Vg+ in Vg. dw.