The podcast explores the Rebecca Riots in 19th-century Wales, discussing economic challenges, toll gates and road maintenance, the origin of 'Rebecca', ongoing demonstrations, and sponsorship breaks.
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Quick takeaways
The Rebecca riots in Wales were sparked by social and economic issues, including high rents, poor harvests, and oppressive toll gates on roads.
The protests during the Rebecca riots aimed to fight against unfair treatment, lack of representation, and economic hardships faced by the farming community.
Deep dives
Background and Context of the Rebecca Riots
The Rebecca riots took place in Wales from 1839 to 1843 and were sparked by social and economic issues. Farmers and farm laborers in the region faced high rents, poor harvests, and the burden of toll gates on the roads. The toll gates, operated by turnpike trusts, were seen as oppressive, leading to protests and attacks by the Rebecca Ites, a group of demonstrators. The protests aimed to fight back against the unfair treatment and lack of representation in government. The riots gained attention outside of Wales, resulting in government intervention and changes to the toll system.
Toll Gates and the Economic Struggles
The toll gates in Wales were a significant source of frustration for the farming community. Multiple trust organizations built toll gates along the roads, leading to excessive toll fees that farmers and workers found difficult to afford. Rent prices were also high, impacting the already struggling tenant farmers. Poor harvests, enclosures of grazing land, and the requirement of cash payments for the church tithe further exacerbated the economic hardships faced by the farming community.
The Rise of Rebecca and the Role of Gender
During the protests, men dressed as Rebecca, symbolizing the spirit of revolt and resistance against tyranny. Wearing dresses, they tore down toll gates and confronted landlords and debt collectors. The use of female clothing was both a symbolic act of resistance and a tactical choice to blend in and avoid detection. The Rebecca Ites also aimed to address social issues, such as enforcing marriages, holding absentee landlords accountable, and ensuring support for neglected families. The role of Rebecca became an emblem of honor and leadership within the protest movement.
Government Response and Legacy
The Rebecca riots spurred a government response, including the deployment of soldiers and police officers to maintain order. The passing of Lord Cawdor's Act in 1844 led to reforms in the toll system. The riots had a lasting impact, bringing attention to the social and economic struggles faced by the Welsh farming community. The events inspired works of fiction and theater, and some toll gates still stand as historical reminders of the protests. The Rebecca riots highlighted the importance of representation, fair treatment, and social justice in the face of economic hardships.
The Rebecca Riots took place in Wales in the 1830s and 1840s. While these events are often described as a protest against heavy road tolls, that was only a small part of the story.
Research:
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Age of Revolution. “Tollhouse designed by Thomas Telford.” https://ageofrevolution.org/200-object/tollhouse-designed-by-thomas-telford/
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Rebecca Riots". Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Oct. 2010, https://www.britannica.com/event/Rebecca-Riots. Accessed 26 October 2023.
Evans, Henry Tobit. “Rebecca and her daughters, being a history of the agrarian disturbances in Wales known as The Rebecca Riots. Edited by G.T. Evans.” Cardiff Educational Pub. Co. 1910.
Evans, Neil. “The Rebecca Riots.” Wales History. https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/society/politics_rebecca_riots.shtml
Jones, David J. V. “Rebecca's children : a study of rural society, crime, and protest.” Oxford : Clarendon Press ; New York : Oxford University Press. 1989.
Jones, Rhian E. “Petticoat Heroes: Gender, Culture and Popular Protest in the Rebecca Riots.” University of Wales Press. 2015.
Loveluck-Edwards, Graham. “19th Century Welsh insurrection | The Merthyr Rising | The Rebecca Riots | The Chartists Revolt.” Via YouTube. 6/17/2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZRrPJ3eDKE
Rees, Lowri Anne. “Paternalism and rural protest: the Rebecca riots and the landed interest of south-west Wales.” The Agricultural History Review , 2011, Vol. 59, No. 1 (2011). http://www.jstor.com/stable/41330097
Rees, Lowri Anne. “The woman who dared to stand up to the Rebecca rioters.” Wales Online. 3/1/2017. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/woman-who-dared-stand-up-12596830
Seal, Graham. “Tradition and Agrarian Protest in Nineteenth-Century England and Wales.” Folklore , 1988, Vol. 99, No. 2 (1988). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1260453
The National Archives. “Rebecca riots.” https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/rebecca-riots/