The Leicester Sentences of Felon Prisoners, Who Have Taken Their..

1817. Nottingham: E. Hodson, Printer, 1817. 14" x 9-1/2. Nottingham: E. Hodson, Printer, 1817. 14" x 9-1/2" An Unrecorded Assizes Calendar with Entries Related to a Luddite Riot [Broadside]. [Criminals]. The Leicester Sentences of Felon Prisoners, Who Have Taken Their Trials at the Lent Assizes, Commencing March 26, 1817, Before the Right Hon. Sir Vicary Gibbs, Knight, And the Hon. Sir Richard Richards, Knight. Clement Winstanley, Esq. High Sheriff. Nottingham: E. Hodson, Printer, [1817]. 14" x 9-1/2" broadside mounted to later backing sheet, text in two columns below headline, signed in type by W[elborn]. Owston [1766-1838], Gaoler [of Borough Gaol, Leicester] and C[hristopher] Musson, Gaoler [of the County Goal, Leicester]. Moderate toning, light soiling and a few faint stains, horizontal fold line, small creases to margins, ink library stamp to verso of backing sheet. $2,600. * This broadside records the fates of 85 prisoners tried at the Leicestershire assizes in March 1817. Most of the entries deal with theft, with sentences ranging from short prison terms or small fines to death. Six were transportation sentences, probably to New South Wales or Van Diemen's Land. Five entries concern the aftermath of an attack on the Heathcoat & Boden textile factory by Luddites, one of the largest frame-breaking attacks to take place in the Midlands. Twelve men were charged with riotous assembly, demolishing the lace frames and shooting or abetting the shooting of three employees. Our broadside notes that two of the group, William Burton and John Blackburn, turned state's evidence in exchange for an acquittal. Most of the others were sentenced to death, with one transported for life. Burton and Blackburn later moved to Canada after facing harassment in their community. This broadside is rare and appears to be unrecorded. No copies located on OCLC or Library Hub, or in the online catalogues of Harvard or the British Library. (Inventory #: 82015)