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Notes

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The sculpture represents the Methodist preacher George Loveless in Dorchester Prison. Loveless was the leader of a group of six agricultural workers known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs, who formed a union in 1834, the Friendly Society of Agricultural Workers, in response to local farmers denying their workers a promised pay rise. As a result, the six were found guilty of administering unlawful oaths by the British government and shipped to Australian penal colonies. After the trial, Loveless was so ill that his warders feared for his life if he was transported. While his five fellow martyrs were shipped to the colonies, he was held behind for a few weeks to recover. Two years into their terms, the government bowed to substantial public pressure and released the martyrs, granting them a full pardon.

Tolpuddle Martyrs' Museum

Dorchester

Title

Martyrs' Sculpture

Date

2000

Medium

Portland stone

Accession number

2019.1

Acquisition method

commissioned by the TUC, 2000

Work type

Street furniture

Inscription description

back of first chair: GOD / IS OUR / GUIDE / NO / SWORDS / WE / DRAW / JAMES BRINE; back of second chair: WE / KINDLE / NOT / WARS / BATTLE / FIRES / JAMES / LOVELESS; back of third chair: BY / REASON / UNION / JUSTICE / LAW / GEORGE / LOVELESS; back of fourth chair: WE / CLAIM / THE / BIRTH / RIGHT / OF OUR / SIRES / JAMES / HAMMETT; back of fifth chair: WE / RAISE / THE / WATCH / WORD / LIBERTY / JOHN STANDFIELD; back of sixth chair: WE / WILL / WE / WILL / WE WILL / BE FREE! / THOMAS / STANDFIELD

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