The Gordon Riots of 1780: London in Flames, a Nation in Ruins - Professor Ian Haywood

TL;DR

The Gordon Riots were driven by militant Protestant opposition to the Catholic Relief Act during an unpopular war against America. Beginning with a large petitioning crowd outside Parliament, the unrest escalated from intimidation to attacks on Catholic sites, politicians’ properties, prisons, and symbols of state power. Professor Ian Haywood also explains why the destruction became a powerful visual spectacle. Read on for the riots’ progression and historical impact.

Transcript

thank you very much for coming into these um out of these Arctic uh conditions um alcohol does have a a part to play in this talk um um at at certain point a very significant part uh but I want to begin with the Riots of 2011 um you remember that I'm sure remember those riots and at that time some commentators um Drew parallels um with the garden R... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫱 The riots were the result of opposition to the Catholic Relief Act and occurred during an unpopular war with America.
• ❓ The violence and destruction of the riots drew comparisons to the Great Fire of London in 1666 and evoked a sense of doom and apocalypse.
• 👊 The riots escalated from peaceful protests to targeted attacks on Catholic and state institutions, resulting in widespread chaos and unrest.
• 👮 The response to the riots included martial law, the deployment of troops, and the execution of rioters.
• 🤬 The riots had a significant cultural impact, influencing the perception of riots as spectacles and establishing a precedent for targeting symbols of power in future protests.
• 🖐️ Images and illustrations of the riots played a crucial role in shaping public perception and understanding of the events.
• 🥺 The violence and chaos of the riots challenged the authority and legitimacy of the government, leading to accusations of collusion and inaction.

Questions & Answers

Q: What caused the Gordon Riots of 1780?

The immediate cause was fierce opposition from militant Protestants to the Catholic Relief Act, which granted Catholics modest new rights involving education and property. The measure was also intended partly to recruit more Catholics into the army during the unpopular war against America.

Q: Who was Lord George Gordon, and why were the riots named after him?

Lord George Gordon led the Protestant Association’s campaign to have the Catholic Relief Act repealed in England. He marshalled the movement around the petition presented at Parliament, and his name subsequently became attached to the riots.

Q: How did the Gordon Riots begin?

A very large crowd assembled outside Parliament to present a petition seeking repeal of the Catholic Relief Act. The unrest began with jostling and intimidation of politicians, then escalated after Parliament declined to vote on the issue.

Q: What places were initially targeted during the Gordon Riots?

The first major targets were Catholic sites, including chapels connected with the Bavarian and Sardinian embassies. Properties belonging to politicians who supported the Catholic Relief Act were also attacked, including Lord Mansfield’s house in Leicester Fields.

Q: Why did the violence expand beyond attacks on Catholic sites?

When Parliament met again and refused to debate the petition, a new wave of destruction began. The rioters continued attacking Catholic sites but also turned toward symbols of state power, marking a distinct second phase of the unrest.

Q: What happened at Newgate Prison during the Gordon Riots?

The crowd demanded that Newgate Prison’s gatekeeper surrender the keys so the prisoners could be freed. When he refused, the prison was set on fire and over 300 prisoners were released, including at least four people on death row.

Q: Was the Bank of England attacked during the Gordon Riots?

Yes, the Bank of England was assaulted after prisons and other symbols of state authority had become targets. The attack was unsuccessful, but it showed how far the unrest had expanded beyond its original anti-Catholic focus.

Q: Why are the Gordon Riots remembered as a visual spectacle?

The destruction produced dramatic scenes of London illuminated by burning buildings, including Lord Mansfield’s house and Langdale’s distillery. Professor Ian Haywood argues that this spectacular visual character, preserved in engravings and later compared with media images of other riots, contributed to the event’s historical impact.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Gordon Riots, which occurred in June 1780, were a result of opposition to the Catholic Relief Act and took place during an unpopular war with America.

• The riots began with peaceful protests but escalated into violence, targeting Catholic sites and symbols of state power.

• The destruction and chaos of the riots drew comparisons to the Great Fire of London in 1666 and evoked a sense of doom and apocalypse.