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Description: | It had been hoped that the end of the Napoleonic Wars would be followed by a period of peace and prosperity. However the five or six years after 1815 were a period of intolerable privation for the people of Tyneside. The sudden stop in demand for armaments and war materials threw many ironworkers, factory operatives and miners out of work. The number of unemployed was further aggravated by thousands of discharged soldiers and sailors who found it impossible to find jobs. Civil unrest was rife as the lower classes protested against low wages, unemployment and food shortages. Unfortunately this discontent only succeeded in fuelling the governing classes fear of revolution, which had become another effect of the war. This resulted in the restriction of individual liberties, especially the right of public meeting, and an increased military presence, 'we expected that when it com peace, the army and navy reduced ... but, alack-day, we've been seduced.'This harsh attitude provoked radicals such as Major Cartwright and William Cobbett to demand a reform of Parliament. Reform societies multiplied on Tyneside and following a visit by Cartwright in 1815, the Political Protestants of Newcastle and Neighbourhood was organised to work for the radical programme. Tracts and pamphlets on political subjects filled the local press and of particular influence was William Cobbett's Political register. This song was written in support of Cobbett's views and reflects the general feeling of the working-classes at the time.This song forms part of a small chapbook entitled 'The Gateshead cabinet ... [etc.]'. Similar to the cheap press of today these poorly printed books and broadsides catered for popular tastes, being sold by chapmen in the country and booksellers in the town. Usually sold for no more than a penny, the production of these little books and broadsides were extremely profitable for most printers. Sold in bulk the material required little proof-reading, was widely plagiarised, and badly printed. Newcastle was the second largest producer of chapbooks in the country at the time of this book's publication.This small songbook was printed by J. Marshall, one of the most prominent chapbook printers in Newcastle during the early nineteenth century. Written in 1816, the only attribution to authorship is to one 'T.R.V'. Certainly most of the songs did not go on to become standard local favourites, however, printed at the end of the Napleonic Wars, this small songbook is an interesting and valuable record of the region at a time of great unrest and change. ; Early nineteenth century songbook | Publisher: | J. Marshall Newcastle upon Tyne | Rights holder: | rights holder : Gateshead Council | Subjects: | protest & politics reform & protest | Temporal: | start=1801;end=1840; | Source: | Folk Archive Resource North East | Identifier: | farne:G0400701 | Go to resource |
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