Rural discontent in Derbyshire, 1830-1850.

Social protest, especially in agricultural regions, has occupied and caused
considerable debate among, historians for many years. This thesis seeks to add to this
debate, by looking at various forms of protest in Derbyshire between 1830 and 1850.
This thesis examines three aspects of criminal activity: poaching, arson and animal
maiming. It contends that none of these crimes can simply be categorised as acts of
protest. In conjunction with an investigation of these three crimes, acts of protest such
as strikes and episodes of reluctance to conform are also discussed. It argues that the
motives behind various criminal activities and anti-authority behaviour were varied and
complex. Arson and animal maiming were rarely co-ordinated, mostly they were
individual attacks. However, on a few occasions both arson and animal maiming were
directed against certain people. In the instances of poaching, there were more proven
cases of gang participation than in either arson or animal maiming, with groups of men
raiding game preserves. However, the great majority of raids were individual
undertakings. What is more, poaching was carried out on a greater scale throughout the
county than either arson or animal maiming.
This thesis seeks to put these activities into the context of economic and social
change in Derbyshire between 1830 and 1850. It maintains that there was a breaking
down of the old social order. The composition of the ruling classes was changing with
the relative growth of industry. In consequence, the responses of the authorities to social
protest were changing. There was an increasing reluctance to offer aid to those less
fortunate during times of need. The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 was gradually
applied. If more slowly, efforts were made to improve policing. By 1850, though
discontent was still evident, there was less resort to traditional forms of social protest.