This new permanent exhibition at the Newport Museum and Art Gallery highlights the key role the city played in the development of one of the earliest working-class labour movements in the world.
It describes Chartism as “one of the most important political movements of our times” and starts with the violent demonstrations that took place in Newport in 1839, which were the beginning of a campaign that would continue well into the 19th century, eventually leading to permanent changes to democracy in Britain.
The exhibition takes a people-centred approach, telling the stories of some of the key protagonists in the drama that unfolded in the South Wales town in the mid-19th century.
As well as the three main Chartist leaders, John Frost, William Jones and Zephaniah Williams, it also highlights the role of the mayor of Newport, Thomas Phillips, who represented the establishment and led the militia against Chartist protesters.
The original People’s Charter of 1838, which gave the Chartist movement its name, is kept at the Bishopsgate Library in London, and so a copy of the document detailing the Chartist’s five demands is displayed instead.
With parliament now under more scrutiny than ever, it is interesting that in addition to the call for votes for men over 21 and the introduction of a secret ballot, Chartist demands included paying MPs and the creation of constituencies of equal size, issues still being debated today.
1839 uprising
The recreation of a room from an affluent middle-class town house of 1810, and an interactive illustrating the “truck system” of in-kind pay for industrial workers of the time provide ample context for visitors to see some of the inequalities that led to the rise of Chartism in South Wales and other industrial areas.
The events of 4 November 1839 take centre stage. A graphic shows that the rising was the result of three separate marches by workers from the coalmines and workshops in the valleys above Newport.
The marchers converged in the town square opposite the Westgate Hotel, where it was rumoured that Chartist prisoners were being held. Visitors approach the displays through a mock hotel facade before reading an account of the carnage that followed a confrontation in front of the building.
Phillips had sworn in over 500 special constables and enlisted the help of more than 80 troops, whose weapons were more than a match for the Chartists armed only with home-made pikes and swords.
A striking showcase dominating the centre of the exhibition displays examples of weapons from both sides of the conflict. In the background, a recording of the sounds of a crowd plays.
However, the displays do not give visitors enough feel for the brutal outcome of the confrontation outside the hotel – no accurate casualty figures were ever confirmed, but is likely that 20 Chartists were killed, more than 50 wounded and 200 arrested after a battle lasting barely half an hour.
Silver scrap
If the reporting of the actual riot is too low-key, the displays describing what followed are more shocking. Copies of documents from the trial of the ringleaders in Monmouth show how the establishment aimed to put the Chartist movement firmly in its place.
A list of jurors is shown, highlighting the fact that those deciding on the fate of the Chartists were farmers and gentlemen from rural Monmouthshire and not the industrial heartlands of South Wales.
The three Chartist leaders were found guilty and sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered, an outcome that even the government found unpalatable. After extensive lobbying, the sentence was commuted to transportation for life.
The story of Phillips is also told, illustrated by one of the most fascinating objects in the exhibition. Following the crushing of the protest, 600 local subscribers presented him with an 800-piece silver service.
It seemed nothing of this gift had survived until an Essex scrap dealer stumbled on a square of metal that turned out to be a piece of silverplate inscribed with the names of the subscribers, an amazing survival. Purchased by the museum in 1982, it now takes pride of place in the exhibition.
The rest of the display helps visitors make sense of the legacy of the Newport rising. The five key Chartist demands are reviewed – pay for MPs was introduced in 1911 giving them an annual salary of £400, although it is noted that a miner’s annual pay in the same year was £83.
Reflections on democracy
Visitors have ample chances to think about the nature of democracy, how it has changed and how we now view the voting process.
A noticeboard allows people to leave their thoughts on the legacy of Chartism. Audio and video presentations give further context to the meaning of democracy.
Those creating this exhibition have had to tread delicately, balancing the exposition of an important piece of social history with the creation of displays that are accessible to visitors. They have succeeded in producing a display that is respectful and thoughtful in equal measure.
The impact of the Chartist rising is woven into Newport’s consciousness, not only in the street names, but deeper into the collective memory of the place. One local told me that the reason that Newport was not awarded city status until 2002 was that “the establishment” had not forgiven the town for its “treacherous” actions in the 19th century.
This exhibition will help to make sure that the Chartists’ march for the rights of ordinary working people in Newport and beyond is not forgotten.
Tim Bryan is the head of collections and interpretation at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon
Funder In-house
Curator Rachael Lovering
Technical support officer Tristram Booth
Exhibition design in-house
Graphic design Smith and Jones
Audiovisuals Blackbox AV
Display case Armour Systems
It describes Chartism as “one of the most important political movements of our times” and starts with the violent demonstrations that took place in Newport in 1839, which were the beginning of a campaign that would continue well into the 19th century, eventually leading to permanent changes to democracy in Britain.
The exhibition takes a people-centred approach, telling the stories of some of the key protagonists in the drama that unfolded in the South Wales town in the mid-19th century.
As well as the three main Chartist leaders, John Frost, William Jones and Zephaniah Williams, it also highlights the role of the mayor of Newport, Thomas Phillips, who represented the establishment and led the militia against Chartist protesters.
The original People’s Charter of 1838, which gave the Chartist movement its name, is kept at the Bishopsgate Library in London, and so a copy of the document detailing the Chartist’s five demands is displayed instead.
With parliament now under more scrutiny than ever, it is interesting that in addition to the call for votes for men over 21 and the introduction of a secret ballot, Chartist demands included paying MPs and the creation of constituencies of equal size, issues still being debated today.
1839 uprising
The recreation of a room from an affluent middle-class town house of 1810, and an interactive illustrating the “truck system” of in-kind pay for industrial workers of the time provide ample context for visitors to see some of the inequalities that led to the rise of Chartism in South Wales and other industrial areas.
The events of 4 November 1839 take centre stage. A graphic shows that the rising was the result of three separate marches by workers from the coalmines and workshops in the valleys above Newport.
The marchers converged in the town square opposite the Westgate Hotel, where it was rumoured that Chartist prisoners were being held. Visitors approach the displays through a mock hotel facade before reading an account of the carnage that followed a confrontation in front of the building.
Phillips had sworn in over 500 special constables and enlisted the help of more than 80 troops, whose weapons were more than a match for the Chartists armed only with home-made pikes and swords.
A striking showcase dominating the centre of the exhibition displays examples of weapons from both sides of the conflict. In the background, a recording of the sounds of a crowd plays.
However, the displays do not give visitors enough feel for the brutal outcome of the confrontation outside the hotel – no accurate casualty figures were ever confirmed, but is likely that 20 Chartists were killed, more than 50 wounded and 200 arrested after a battle lasting barely half an hour.
Silver scrap
If the reporting of the actual riot is too low-key, the displays describing what followed are more shocking. Copies of documents from the trial of the ringleaders in Monmouth show how the establishment aimed to put the Chartist movement firmly in its place.
A list of jurors is shown, highlighting the fact that those deciding on the fate of the Chartists were farmers and gentlemen from rural Monmouthshire and not the industrial heartlands of South Wales.
The three Chartist leaders were found guilty and sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered, an outcome that even the government found unpalatable. After extensive lobbying, the sentence was commuted to transportation for life.
The story of Phillips is also told, illustrated by one of the most fascinating objects in the exhibition. Following the crushing of the protest, 600 local subscribers presented him with an 800-piece silver service.
It seemed nothing of this gift had survived until an Essex scrap dealer stumbled on a square of metal that turned out to be a piece of silverplate inscribed with the names of the subscribers, an amazing survival. Purchased by the museum in 1982, it now takes pride of place in the exhibition.
The rest of the display helps visitors make sense of the legacy of the Newport rising. The five key Chartist demands are reviewed – pay for MPs was introduced in 1911 giving them an annual salary of £400, although it is noted that a miner’s annual pay in the same year was £83.
Reflections on democracy
Visitors have ample chances to think about the nature of democracy, how it has changed and how we now view the voting process.
A noticeboard allows people to leave their thoughts on the legacy of Chartism. Audio and video presentations give further context to the meaning of democracy.
Those creating this exhibition have had to tread delicately, balancing the exposition of an important piece of social history with the creation of displays that are accessible to visitors. They have succeeded in producing a display that is respectful and thoughtful in equal measure.
The impact of the Chartist rising is woven into Newport’s consciousness, not only in the street names, but deeper into the collective memory of the place. One local told me that the reason that Newport was not awarded city status until 2002 was that “the establishment” had not forgiven the town for its “treacherous” actions in the 19th century.
This exhibition will help to make sure that the Chartists’ march for the rights of ordinary working people in Newport and beyond is not forgotten.
Tim Bryan is the head of collections and interpretation at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon
Project data
Cost £30,000Funder In-house
Curator Rachael Lovering
Technical support officer Tristram Booth
Exhibition design in-house
Graphic design Smith and Jones
Audiovisuals Blackbox AV
Display case Armour Systems
