Edith Nicholl
New Member
I recently came across a new book on the Birmingham Riots of 1791, which not only deals with the causes and descriptions of the riots, and the trials, but gives a lot of background information about Birmingham life, including a boxing or Birmingham Athletic Club which was in the 'Bear-with-a-bunch-of-grapes-in-his-mouth" Inn on the corner of Livery Street and Bread Street. At nearly 400 pages, it is a a heavy read, but worth it. There are appendices listing the names of members of a Committee of agitators; The list of houses that were to be attacked; a list of the rioters arraigned, including the four who were hanged. There are also images of some of the handbills that were distributed, included a 'wily ruse handbill.' SENTENCED TO HANG: Memoirs of Billy Hands, 1768-1853, by Tony Rail. William Hands was born in Kings Norton, the son of Roger Hands. Of the trials, the writer suggests that it was not a lenient jury that set a lot of prisoners free, but the judge who often summed-up for an acquittal.