31st May Rising of the Red Flag on Hirwaun Common
A Prologue To The Hirwaun/Merthyr Insurrection 1831 .
An Introduction
The of 30th and 31st May 1831 at respectively Twyn y Waun and Hirwaun Common. With Thomas Llywelyn’s march on Aberdar And Lewis’s march on the court of request we witness discontent brewing into wide spread disturbances that would by 1 June 1831 burst fourth as the first major Welsh Insurrection since time of Owain Glyndwr. It is common amongst Welsh historians who have inherited the Victorian historians ''respectable crachach mantle'' to be almost apologetic for the Welsh ''having a rush of blood to the head'', as the English chroniclers often accused us of having in medieval times. The same case is made for Owain Glyndŵr as it is for the 1831 Insurrectionists, say nothing that promotes idea it may have been ''Plotted and Planned'' in advance.
(In the 1920s, infant mortality (for under 5s) was 479 per thousand. The ironworks employed 9.000.)
The Lamb Inn: It was here that Lewis Lewis was held prisoner in the cellar after is capture in area of Ystrad Fellte.
Part of the former Penderyn Mineral Railway, the 2.6km section runs from Pontpren to Penyard road on the National Park border in Hirwaun. The former railway line follows the old packhorse route between Penderyn and Hirwaun, along which the quarry company built their tramway to carry limestone to ironworks in the Valleys. This was originally drawn by horses, and later by steam locomotives. Since the railway closed the route suffered years of neglect and has been returned to its former glory by the BBNPA. Part of the former Penderyn Mineral Railway, the 2.6km section runs from Pontpren to Penyard road on the National Park border in Hirwaun. The former railway line follows the old packhorse route between Penderyn and Hirwaun, along which the quarry company built their tramway to carry limestone to ironworks in the Valleys. This was originally drawn by horses, and later by steam locomotives. Since the railway closed the route suffered years of neglect and has been returned to its former glory by the BBNPA. Further and full details can be obtained via the web from Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.
They do indeed have a leaflet on the pathway between Penderyn and Hirwaun. If you would like to contact them on (01874) 623366, or by email at mountain.centre@Brecon.org, giving postal address, they would be happy to send one to you by post.
The Church of St Cynog and The Red Lion on hill above Penderyn. ( Note, can be approached from 2 directions).
There is a connection between Lewis Lewis, the church and the cemetery, what?
The government had originally decided against a seat for Merthyr. In Spring 1831, Crawshay lowered wages.
Lewis Lewis led a march against the debtors court to regain goods confiscated from the poor. The Courthouse was destroyed.
Mathew John presented the rebels' terms to Penydarren House.
Magistrates became under siege at the Castle Hotel. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were sent to Merthyr, from Brecon. and on 3. June, they defended the Castle Inn firing on a crowd who were storming the inn - 24 were killed and 70 wounded. But the military eventually abandoned the town.
The Red Flag was raised.
On the 8 June a further 1.000 soldiers were sent in, and 12.000 supporters from Monmouth were headed off by about 500 soldiers.
The uprising was followed by a lockout lead by J.J. Guest, supported by Lord Melbourne (Home Secretary, later PM).
4.000 unionists
Nov 31 unionists cease to exist
Dic Penderyn (Richard Lewis) was hanged in Cardiff for his role in the disturbances - allegedly for stabbing a soldier. A plaque outside the library in Merthyr Tydfil refers to him as a martyr of the working class. Lewis Lewis was transported for life.
In the late 1830s/early 1840s, there are two main protest movements operating - the Chartists and Rebecca. Some sources attempt to show that these two movements were different threads of the same overall protest. In this simple expose, I will just assume that Chartism was concerned with promoting Democracy, and Rebecca was operating against turnpike trusts and workhouses.
On 20. April, three London policeman had been sent to Llanidloes. On the following day. a crowd attacked the Trewythen Hotel, releasing the man that the policemen were holding and ransacking the hotel.
The eight leaders were sentenced to death, which was commuted to imprisonment or transportation. Queen Victoria knighted the mayor who ordered the random execution.
South East of Chepstow along the Wye, there is the Willow Tea Room, where there is an plaque commemorating the fact that three leaders were transported from here to Tasmania.
The museum where you can see exhibits from this event is situated in John Frost Square, named after the leader.
In 1841, William edwards stood as a Chartist candidate in Monmouth, receiving no votes - the only time this has happened in Welsh elections.
1839
Jan There was an attempt to burn down the new Narberth Workhouse.
