Shropshire Routes to Roots

2. Chartism in Llanidloes

Background

In 1839, Llandiloes, a town in Powis, Wales, became one of the centres of Chartist activity. On April 30th, 1839, a Chartist meeting was held in the town. Some policemen, who had been sent up to the town from London to keep an eye on the Chartists, arrested three people at the meeting. They held them in the Trewythen Arms.

Thomas Marsh, a wealthy landowner, formed a private army to combat the Chartist threat, made up of his own estate workers. Marsh's private army, armed only with sticks and bats, guarded the building in which the three men were imprisoned. However, the Chartists stormed the hotel and took back their three members.

Sources

The situation was now tense. We know this because Shropshire Archives has letters written by Thomas Marsh himself which describe the atmosphere of the town over the following days. Through these letters, it is possible to see the events in Llanidloes unfold.

Continue

Return to top of page