This is an excerpt form a history book. In the middle it mentions "Captain Swing."
Isolated outbreaks of arson occurred during most of 1830. There had been industrial unrest throughout the cities of England
but the start of what became known as the "Swing Riots" began in August of that year with a thrashing machine being
destroyed at Lower Hadres in Kent. The French revolution in July had no doubt excited the labourers but their main
motivation was simply for a fair wage. However, despite the isolated attempts of extreme radicals, there was no organised
plot or co-ordination between these and future outbreaks. By December trouble had spread to every county south of a line
from Norfolk to Worcestershire although there were sporadic outbreaks occurring as far north as Carlisle. Many landowners
received threatening letters from the mythical "Captain Swing" while others experienced the full force of the rioters’ anger
with their barns and stacks being set ablaze or their machinery being broken. The less fortunate encountered a riotous mob
who would often threaten violence unless beer, money and food were not forthcoming. There was no centralise organising
committee but such was the deep seated feeling of oppression that as news of the troubles spread, there was no shortage
of local volunteers to lead or "Captain" his fellow workers. The subsequent trials showed not only the labouring class took to
the streets as some of those convicted (often as being the ring-leaders) were local tradesmen or small tenant farmers who
were obviously suffering along with the oppressed labourer.
