Peterloo – massacre or riot?

On June 20th 2019, The John Rylands Library staged a live performance event to mark the bicentenary of the Peterloo Massacre. It was a first for the library and I was excited to take the part of Jemima Bamford – one of the thousands of men, women and children who gathered at St Peter’s Field in August 1819. I donned bonnet and shawl and created a speech, imagining how she might have spoken out against the actions of the militia, who charged into an unarmed crowd, and murdered up to 23 people.

Then joined by 5 other actors, I took part in a public debate as we decide: was Peterloo a massacre or a riot? At the end of the debate, votes were cast, and Manchester decided overwhelmingly – massacre.

Peterloo – massacre or riot?

The John Rylands Library
150 Deansgate
Manchester
M3 3EH

6pm-8pm
Free event

Peterloo: Fake news. Fractured politics. A state against its people. Discover the story of the Peterloo Massacre in The John Rylands Library’s latest exhibition.

Come to the promenade and chaired debate event on Thursday 20th June and hear the conflicting views! Rosie Garland is proud to be enacting the character of Jemima Bamford.

https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands/whats-on/peterloo/