The Sirhowy Valley in the first half of the 19th century was a hotbed for radicalism.
Suffering low wages, appalling working conditions and oppressive legislation the workers were often exploited by unscrupulous employers.
The difference in life style between employers and workers was extreme.
The Iron Masters and Mine Owners dwelt in luxury in vast residences, employing many servants, whilst their employees were forced to live in rows of squalid cottages without running water or any adequate means of sanitation.
A government report, which looked at Welsh valley life condemned the conditions in Wales and attached the blame squarely on the employers:-
" I regard the degraded condition (of the people of Monmouthshire) as entirely the fault of their employers, who give them far less tendance and care than they bestow on their cattle, and who with few exceptions, use and regard them as so much brute force instrumental to wealth, but as nowise involving claims on human sympathy "
Out of this background arose massive support for radical organisations such as the new Chartist Movement.
The Chartists' aim was to bring about electoral reform to allow the "working classes" greater representation in Parliament.
Their 'charter' contained 6 demands:-
• Annual Parliaments
• Universal male suffrage
• Equal electoral districts
• The removal of the property qualification for Membership of Parliament
• The Secret Ballot
• The payment of Members of Parliament
Mural at Bedwellty Park, Tredegar 19th century print showing typical Chartist rally
Valley workers were quick to espouse this new cause and the movement found itself split into 2 factions :
1: Moral Force - who sought reform by means of debate and non violent methods and
2: Physical Force - who argued change could only happen by using more direct means.
Under their leaders - John Frost of Newport, Zephaniah Williams from Argoed and William Jones of Pontypool, the Valley Chartists decided to march on Newport in a show of force.
Setting out from the 'Coach and Horses' inn at Blackwood on 3rd. Nov.1839, in foul weather, the Sirhowy Valley contingent made their way down the valley arranging to join up with other supporters on the way.
The 'Welsh Oak' public house at Pontymister was a rallying place for the Chartists and there was upwards of 5000 men at this point.
Many had been 'pressed' into joining the march by threat of violence.
Most men carried arms, many had muskets but the majority wielded pikes which had been forged at secret locations throughout the Valley in the preceding weeks.
En route they learned that fellow Chartists had been arrested and imprisoned inside the Westgate Hotel.
Enraged by this news and despite the fact that William Jones' Pontypool contingent had failed to join them, they descended Stow Hill to storm the Westgate.
Having been forewarned of the assault, Newport Town Mayor Thomas Phillips had stationed a detachment of troops inside the building and eventually an order was given to open fire at the attackers.
22 Chartists were reportedly killed in the fusillade and many more wounded.
The crowds quickly dispersed and took flight back to their home villages.
The ring leaders were arrested and in December 1839 were tried for high treason. All three were found guilty and sentenced to death.
The penalty for high treason was hanging, drawing and quartering and a gallows and dismemberment block was prepared in readiness at Monmouth Gaol.
The sentence was commuted, however, when the authorities feared that to carry it out may cause further unrest and instead all three were transported to Van Diemens Land (later named Tasmania)
John Frost eventually returned after 15 years in exile but Zephaniah Williams remained in Tasmania where he was instrumental in creating the Tasmanian mining industry.
The Chartists never quite achieved the instant reforms they were seeking but over the following years most of the changes they demanded were eventually incorporated into the constitution.
John Frost Zephaniah Williams
The sound clip on this page was kindly provided by Laurence Eddy,
ex member of the Chartists Folk Rock Band
The band was active between 1980 and 1990 and the songs they wrote and sang
related to the events described on this page
Click on image for Chartists' Website
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