On this day, 29 November 1830, “Captain Swing” farm workers fighting for better pay and more jobs attacked a farmer and constable in Stour Provost, Dorset. Some were arrested and taken to Shaftesbury, but local Swing sympathisers released the prisoners. Before the night was over further rioting broke out in five other towns. Captain Swing was the fictional rebel leader in whose name workers’ demand letters were sent.
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