Eyewitness Accounts

To commemorate the 200 year anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre the Peterloo 2019 Ambassadors have worked in partnership with Professor Robert Poole (University of Central Lancashire), author of Peterloo: the English Uprising and the Age of Revolution at University of Kent to compile the 400+ eyewitness accounts which include press reports and petitions.

This is the first time the original accounts have been compiled into an online archive. You can now use the website to search by name, place and role and learn more about the eyewitness accounts from 1819.

Richard Holt Eyewitness Account

Saw stones thrown at the Yeomanry and was hit by one. Seized a cap of liberty from a flagstaff while another constable tore down flags. Received blow on his wrist at this point.

Place: Manchester
Role: Injured,Officer
Occupation: Special Constable

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Robert Feilden Eyewitness Account

Was at Mr Buxton’s house on 16 August. Heard no disagreement about the decision to call in the military

Occupation: Magistrate

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Charles Wickstead Ethelstone Eyewitness Account

The magistrate who read the Riot Act out of the window, because it was impractical to read it outside the house. Considered it was ‘absolutely essential’ to send in the military.

Place: Manchester
Role: Officer
Occupation: Fellow of Collegiate Church,Magistrate,Reverend

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William Robert Hay Eyewitness Account

Testifies that there was no doubt that the crowd had bad intentions and it was essential that the magistrates called in the military. He also heard Mr Ethelstone read the Riot Act in a very poweful voice, so that it would be audible to the crowd. He also claims to have seen stones thrown by the crowd.