1839-2008 Newport Chartist Rising | 6 Nov - Blackwood Chartist March

[Chartist Newport]

On Thursday 6 November 2008 a Chartist march was held in Blackwood to commemorate the 169th anniversary of the Newport Chartist Rising of 4 November 1839.


March and Rally: Democracy and the Chartists







The March was organised by Caerphilly County Borough Council in partnership with local schools, and the colourful procession of civic leaders and Blackwood school children marched from the town centre to the new Chartist Bridge and Chartist sculpture- two monumental landmarks that have recently been completed and have really put Blackwood on the map. Amongst the marchers was a man with a long red beard, bearing a resemblance to one Zephaniah WIlliams; although rumour has it that this was in fact former Councillor and Chartist Leon Gardiner, who is to be credited with the naming of the Blackwood Chartist Bridge (x).

Chartist leader Zephaniah Williams, the so-called "Blackwood Infidel", hailed from nearby Argoed and led a contingent of the Monmouthshire Chartist Marchers from Blackwood to Newport. Zephaniah Williams was one of the four men found guilty of treason and transported to Australia for his part in the Newport Chartist Rising.

The Chartist Bridge and sculpture | The Chartist Bridge and sculpture commemorate the route taken by the Chartist marchers and the struggle for democracy (see here and here) ; and the monumental sculpture of a single marching figure, armed with a pike, is emblematic of the Chartists who marched down the Monmouthshire valleys to converge on Newport for the Chartist Rising of 4 November 1839.


"We will have the Charter"






The Chartist Bridge was closed to traffic. Marching abreast across the bridge, the schoolchildren's banners proclaimed the Chartist's fight for democratic rights. The march assembled at the far end of the bridge alongside the Chartist sculpture, and a rally was held to celebrate the Anniversary of the Chartist March on Newport of 4 November 1839. The excitement of the school children and the clear message of their banners and chants made the Chartist cause of Democracy a live message.

"Blackwood's Chartist sculpture is perhaps Wales's most dramatic piece of public art. The Chartists fought bravely to lay the foundations of our modern democracy, and it is important that we remember their struggle and continue to build democratic freedoms today", said Caerphilly Council Leader Lindsay Whittle, "This week schoolchildren been able to witness the historic election in the United States, in which people queued for hours to exercise their right to vote. In many countries of the world people still do not have free elections".

“Press forward, press forward, There's nothing to fear, We will have the Charter, be it ever so dear": A local school girl recited Ernest Jones' Chartist song ( recorded some years ago by local folk group The Chartists).


Blackwood: Henry Vincent, Chartism and popular festivity




+ Looking north from the Blackwood Chartist Bridge: Today's post-industrial scene
+ The Coach and Horses Inn, where John Frost and other Chartist leaders met to plan the march to Newport


Blackwood was of strategic importance in the events that led to the Newport Chartist Rising. The Chartists met in secret in Blackwood to plan for the armed march on Newport. The fact that women and children were not present on the march to Newport was a sign that trouble was anticipated (- special constables were allowed to arm, to form local militia). But Chartism had been above all a highly public movement, full of colour and festivity in the summer months of 1839 when hopes for the Charter ran high.

Chartist evangelist Henry Vincent of Bath, publisher of the Chartist newspaper The Western Vindicator, made several lecture tours to South Wales at this time. Leaving Bristol on the packet steamer, he would land at Newport and proceed north into the coal and iron districts of the "Hills" of Monmouthshire. A temperancer and a promoter of women's support for Chartism, Vincent would hold "Democratic Tea Parties" for women. Henry Vincent's arrest and imprisonment in Monmouth for making inflammatory speeches was a significant factor in the lead up to the Chartist march on Newport, and it is supposed that one of the main demands of the Chartists was the release of Henry Vincent.

Blackwood was a Chartist stronghold and Henry Vincent writes in detail about two visits here. Note the festivity of the occassion with thousands of people gathered for the open air meetings, flags and song and speeches, and petition signing; and note in particular the participation of women and school children:



[1] Henry Vincent's March 26th visit to Blackwood - greeted by 100 girls carrying flowers and flags and singing a radical song:

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"Took tea, and walked on to Blackwood, a small village about a mile from the Greyhound. The evening mild. Within half a mile from Blackwood we were met by about 100 little girls, dressed very neatly, carrying in the front of them a pretty device made up of flowers and three handsome flags upon the top. On meeting us they curtsied, and then preceded us to Blackwood, singing a Radical song with great skill; the chorus of which was thus —

"Here's a health to Radical boys,
Here's a health to Radical boys,
May tyranny fall, and freedom prevail,
That millions may share its joys."

It was a pleasing sight to see young children assembled to pray for the success of a cause upon which their future happiness and freedom depended. May God nerve our arms and strengthen our hearts, and carry us triumphantly through the coming struggle! Our little conductors halted at the Coach and Horses, the landlord and landlady of which are good out-and-out Radicals. The meeting was held in front of the house; a delightful place to speak from; for before use lie a most beautiful prospect of hill and valley. The full-toned notes of a blackbird were heard from a neighbouring cluster of trees. The numbers present were about 1500, amongst whom were a great amount of females. Mr. Burrell was called to the chair. Mr. Edwards spoke at some length in explanation of the Charter, and was warmly applauded. I next addressed the meeting; shewed the people what governments should exist for; and convinced them of the necessity of having an equal share in the making of the laws and laying on of the taxes. I spoke to the ladies at considerable length, arguing that they were more interested in a good state of government and society than the men; a fact of which they seemed fully convinced. I was pleased to notice several of the middle classes present, who appeared to take great interest in the proceedings. I was loudly cheered throughout my speech. A few words were spoken in Welch. Cheers innumerable were given in succession for Vincent, Edwards, the Charter, Convention, our sweethearts and wives, and the meeting separated. The people nearly all signed the petition. Sheets distinctly for the ladies were also signed. The most ardent enthusiasm prevailed. Two of Prothero's men waited on me, and told me the men had been prevented attending the meeting, but that they were ALL READY! He also said that —— never mind — I'll tell you some other time. Edwards, myself, and a friend, returned to the Greyhound, and spent the remainder of the evening in conversation, enlivened by a few Welch airs on the harp, and two or three songs from our male friends. We could not prevail upon the young ladies to sing to us. Really the ladies throughout the country must all learn to sing — for how delightful will be their voices in one grand jubilee when we are celebrating the triumph of our Charter. Retired to bed at half-past twelve".


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[2] Henry Vincent's account the meetings of 2,000 - 3,000 and then 4,000 people at Blackwood and Pontllanfraith during the afternoon and evening of 22 April 1839:


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At a quarter to three the people formed into procession, five a-breast. About 200 little boys and girls arrived from Blackwood, with their pretty devices of flowers and flags. Our procession was about half-a-mile long. The children sang "Here's a health to Radical boys"; and on we marched to Blackwood. On reaching the Coach and Horses we halted. Myself, Edwards, Dr. Price, and the Committee, mounted the hustings. The business commenced with Dr. Price being called to the chair, who opened the business in a Welsh speech, full of eloquence and argument; and he concluded with a quotation from the "Rights of Man", which was loudly cheered. The numbers present were between 2000 and 3000. Mr. Edwards addressed the meeting at some length, and was loudly cheered. I next addressed the people in a long speech, which appeared to infuse new fire and energy into all present. The ladies were particularly enthusiastic in their approbation. At the close of the meeting sundry cheers were given for myself and others; and the meeting separated. I then took tea, and in the company of Edwards rode to the Greyhound, Pontlanvraith.

At eight o'clock about 4000 persons assembled in front of the Greyhound. The night turned wet, and the rain fell heavily. The chair was taken by an intelligent man, who briefly opened the business, and introduced Mr. Edwards to the meeting. Edwards made a capital speech, and was loudly applauded. I next addressed the meeting on the Charter, and political economy. I showed to the people that the present movement resolved itself into the best mode of creating and distributing wealth. I was loudly cheered. The meeting broke up at ten o'clock. Thus, we attended three meetings on one day, at each of which the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. We spent the night at the Greyhound; listened to a few songs; and retired to bed, much exhausted, two hours beyond midnight".


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Posted by - John Wilson