Was Dic Penderyn innocent?
Was Dic Penderyn innocent?
Aberavon MP Kinnock said: ‘Penderyn was the victim of a grave miscarriage of justice. “He maintained his innocence to the very end and years later evidence came to light casting serious doubts over his conviction.
Where did Dic Penderyn come from?
Aberavon, Port Talbot, United Kingdom
Dic Penderyn/Place of birth
Why was Dic Penderyn hanged?
Death. Dic Penderyn was hanged outside Cardiff gaol on the gallows in St. Penderyn’s public execution allegedly caused his pregnant wife to suffer a miscarriage.
Who accused Dic Penderyn?
Richard Lewis
A twenty-three year old miner, Richard Lewis, whose nickname was Dic Penderyn, was arrested for the stabbing. The arresting constable was carrying this tipstaff. Inside was the warrant for Dic Penderyn’s arrest. Over 11,000 people signed a petition calling for Dic Penderyn’s life to be spared.
Why did the Merthyr Rising happen?
Beginnings. Throughout May 1831 the coal miners and others who worked for William Crawshay took to the streets of Merthyr Tydfil, calling for reform, protesting against the lowering of their wages and general unemployment.
How many died in Merthyr Rising?
24
| Merthyr Rising | |
|---|---|
| Caused by | Lowering of wages, unemployment |
| Casualties | |
| Death(s) | c. 24 |
| Arrested | 26 |
When was the Merthyr Rising?
May 1831
Merthyr Rising/Start dates
What started the Merthyr Rising?
A description of conditions leading to the Merthyr Rising of 1831 when workers felt a sense of unrest due to their poor wages and working conditions. During this revolt the red flag was raised for the first time in British history.
Why did crawshay upset workers?
Trouble flared up again in May 1831 when William Crawshay reduced the wages of his iron workers. Working people had hoped that parliamentary reform would stop the power of employers to reduce wages without negotiation. They rejected the demands and advised the people to return to their homes.
How many died in the Merthyr Rising?
| Merthyr Rising | |
|---|---|
| Caused by | Lowering of wages, unemployment |
| Casualties | |
| Death(s) | c. 24 |
| Arrested | 26 |
Where did Dic Penderyn live most of his life?
He was the son of Lewis Lewis, a cordwainer and later a miner from Cornelly, and his wife, Margaret. He moved to Merthyr Tydfil with his family in 1819, where he and his father found work in the mines. He was literate with some chapel schooling. His family were Methodists, and his sister Elizabeth married the Methodist preacher Morgan Howells.
Why was Dic Penderyn hanged in Merthyr Tydfil?
In the course of the riot he was arrested alongside Lewis Lewis, one of the primary figures in the uprising, and charged with stabbing a soldier with a bayonet. The people of Merthyr Tydfil doubted his guilt, and signed a petition for his release. However, he was found guilty and hanged on 13 August.
How old was Dic Penderyn when he was arrested?
Arrested with Dic was his cousin, Lewis Lewis. He was well-known to the authorities as an “agitator” and was certainly someone who was heavily involved with the organisation of the riot. Young Dic, however at just 23-years-old, had limited involvement and was there, more as a spectator than a participant.
Why was Dic Penderyn chosen as a martyr?
It was a strange decision as there was clearly little or no proof that Dic Penderyn was involved in the assault. Nevertheless, in the eyes of authority, justice had to be done and, perhaps more importantly, had to be seen to be done. The execution would be an example to others.