Massacre at St Peter’s by George Cruikshank
Theme: The arts in the Age of Revolution, Challenging law and order: British riots and reforms
On the 16th August 1819, a huge crowd of people gathered in St Peter’s Field, Manchester to hear Henry ‘Orator’ Hunt and other noted radical speakers calling for parliamentary reform. At least 17 people would die of injuries received on the day, and around 700 suffered serious wounds at the hands of local armed forces. There was a popular outcry, and the radical press named the incident the ‘Peterloo Massacre’, a mocking reference to the Battle of Waterloo.
This satirical cartoon shows the armed forces (the Manchester Yeomanry) attacking men, women and children in the crowd. One of them is pointing his sabre at a woman. Her little boy says “Oh pray Sir, doan’t Kill Mammy, she only came to see Mr Hunt.” Another Yeoman says “Cut him [the boy] down, Cut him down.”
Henry Hunt, a radical who campaigned for parliamentary reform to open elections up to more people, is standing on the platform in the background, holding his hat. He’s saying: “Shame, Shame, Murder, Murder, Massacree [sic].” Hunt is supported by two others who are also saying “Shame.” One of them is holding a banner with a Liberty cap – a powerful symbol of revolution at the time – on the top of the pole.
George Cruikshank (1792–1878) was one of Britain’s most renowned and prolific illustrators during the Age of Revolution. He is known for his satirical caricatures – both of political issues and everyday life. He also illustrated novels, including Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens in which he created the iconic image of Oliver asking for more, much to the astonishment of the workhouse master.
Did you know..?
Cruikshank and Dickens were close friends, but fell out with each other later in life. In a letter to The Times in 1871, Cruikshank claimed that Dickens had stolen the plot of Oliver Twist from him.
Download or order a FREE copy of the Peterloo graphic novel, created specially for schools.
Use our Classroom resources to investigate this object and the theme of Protest in the Age of Revolution further.
Highlights:
- Using objects, artworks and other sources to find out about the past
- Enquiry: Why did workers protest in the Age of Revolution?
- How to make an interactive Revolutionary banner
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Sources & acknowledgements
This object description and its related educational resources were researched and written by our team of historians and education specialists. For further information see the item’s home museum, gallery or archive, listed above.
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Curatorial info
- Originating Museum: British Musuem
- Accession Number: 1876,0510.980
- Production Date: 1819
- Creator: George Cruikshank
- Material: paper
- Technique: hand coloured etching
- Size: Height: 248 millimetres Width: 347 millimetres
- Original record
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Use this image
You can download and use the high resolution image for use in a non-profit environment such as a school or college, but please take note of the license type and rights holder information below
- Rights Holder: The British Museum
- License Type: