Ascott Martyrs and the Chipping Norton riot
- When
- 1873
- Where
- Police Court
- Episodes
- 1
In 1873, sixteen women from Ascott-under-Wychwood in Oxfordshire were charged at Chipping Norton with obstructing and coercing two men to leave their employment during an agricultural labour dispute. Seven were sentenced to ten days' hard labour. By 9pm on 20 May 1873 a crowd of 1,000 had surrounded the Police Court, and a newspaper printed the story under the heading 'Rioting in Chipping Norton'. On release the women returned to their village as martyrs and received £5 and blue silk from the National Union of Agricultural Workers.
Episodes
Background and detail
Background. The National Union of Agricultural Workers was founded in 1872 by Joseph Arch. In 1873, men from Ascott-under-Wychwood formed a branch. Women from the village attempted to persuade local workers, known as the Ramsden men, to join the Union and stop working for Mr Hambidge. This action led to their arrest and imprisonment in Chipping Norton.
Legal Proceedings. On 20 May 1873, the women were charged in Chipping Norton with obstructing and coercing John Hodgkins and John Miller to leave their employment. Seven women received sentences of 10 days with hard labour. The incident was reported in newspapers under the heading 'Rioting in Chipping Norton'.
Aftermath. Following their release, the women returned to Ascott-under-Wychwood as martyrs. The Union provided them with £5 and blue silk. An investigation revealed that prior to the Union, wages for Ascott farm workers were 9 shillings in winter and 10 shillings in summer. A seat was later erected to celebrate the centenary of the event.
People involved
- Joseph Arch · Leader of the National Union of Agricultural Workers
- John Hodgkins · Man whom the women were charged with obstructing and coercing with a view to inciting him to leave his employment
- John Miller · Man whom the women were charged with obstructing and coercing with a view to inciting him to leave his employment
- Mr Hambidge · Man for whom the Ramsden men worked and from whom the women sought to deter them
Sources
- Ascott Martyrs Wikipedia, revision of 2026-05-16
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