Maldon grain riots
17th-century riots / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Maldon grain riots took place in Maldon, England in March 1629, during a time of industrial depression and poor harvests.[1][2] Starvation and high food prices in Essex increased the strain on the area's primarily agrarian economy.[2] Due to a decline in the English cloth trade in January 1629, exports of grain increased with little left for domestic consumption.[3][2] In March 1629, a group of 100-140 rioters[4] led by one "Captain" Ann Carter, the wife of a butcher,[5] boarded a Flemish grain ship and removed grain by filling their caps and gowns. The prominent involvement of women in the riot was attributed to the fact that it was common for a husband to be held legally accountable for the actions of his wife at the time.
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The popular reaction to these changes in governmental organization and policy took the form of food riots.
After two weeks of attempting to prosecute the rioters, the local magistracy granted a lower purchase price of corn.[6]
Ann Carter toured the local area, after the riot, to raise local support from clothing workers. A further riot on May 22 attracted the attention of the Privy Council.[7] A special commission was established, which led to the execution of Ann Carter as a threat to the social order.