Stotfold Riots - Introduction

Taken from The Stotfold Riot by Bert Hyde

Introduction

This essay is written by an amateur local historian who has lived in Stotfold all his life. It is intended for anyone who would like a more detailed account of the 1830 Stotfold riot than any of those that are at present available. Inevitably it will mean going over much old ground but this cannot be helped. It is based mainly on reports in the Times newspaper 6th December 1830 and the Cambridge Chronicle 11th March 1831.(1)  These two accounts complement one another and when combined into one, with some slight editing give a very good, even if somewhat exaggerated picture of the events leading up to and the riot itself. We shall also be looking at the subsequent trial, transportation to Australia and the cause of the unrest. Apart from the two newspaper reports sources used include a series of letters written by Rev. John Lafont who was Rector of Hinxworth and acting curate of Stotfold at the time of riot (2) and copies of some Australian documents kindly sent to me.

(1). There is also an account of the riot in the Northampton Mercury Dec.15th 1830 but it is of no help as it is entirely dependent on the report in the Times. 

(2). Bedfordshire Archive, ref:L30/18/27