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Merthyr Riots 1816 by Penry Williams

530mm height x 680mm width

The Merthyr Riots of 1816 started due to employers lowering workmen's wages. The end of the Napoleonic Wars brought about a slump in trade which meant a severe drop in wages within the South Wales valleys. The overwhelming anger of the workers alarmed the ironmasters and there was little they could do to stop the riots. There were personal attacks against the manager of the Penydarren works; the Crawshays were warned of such attacks and fled to a farmhouse until the workmen agreed to a settlement and the disturbances ended.

Mayors Hat Box

165mm height x 510mm length

Black metal Mayors hat box with gold handle and gold border. It belonged to Enoch Morrell Esq, Mayor from 1905-1906. The hat box was made by Ede Ravenscroft of London.

Mayors Hat

155mm height x 440mm length

Black Mayors hat with gold braid decoration and drawstring. It belonged to Enoch Morrell Esq, Mayor from 1905-1906. The hat was made by Ede Ravenscroft of London.

Mayoral Gown

1300mm length

Mayoral Gown of Office (1980's) worn by officials from Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council for many years.

Election Poster

360mm height x 275mm width

Election poster with pencil portrait of J. Keir Hardie. This famous Scotsman was the first "labour" MP in Britain. He was a Labour Party candidate in the 1900 election and won the seat for Merthyr Tydfil. Hardie was a pacifist and a proponent of Disestablishment. His Welsh nationalism was expressed in the ideal of 'land for the people'; living in a socialist society and economy.

Election Notice

165mm height x 142mm width

An election poster from 1913. The text reads: Election notice 1913 MERTHYR TYDFIL BOROUGH ELECTION, 1913, PLYMOUTH WARD, Your VOTE and INTEREST is respectfully solicited on behalf of the Independent Candidate. Vote for your Faithful Lady Representative who has served the public well for twelve years. Mrs M A Edmunds Medraf sserbyn eich cwynion yn raith HEN WLAD EICH TADAU. Printed and published by H.W. Southey & Sons Ltd, Merthyr.

Commemorative Certificate

202mm height x 505mm length

Illuminated parchment scroll, handwritten and painted with a tassle at the end. This certificate was presented to Councillor John Edward Jones on 8th July 1948 when he was admitted as an honorary freeman of the borough of Merthyr Tydfil.

Commemorative Case

130mm height x 295mm length x 168mm depth

Wooden coffer case with crest of Merthyr Tydfil Borough on top of lid. The text on inner lid reads: Presented to Councillor John Edward Jones, J.P. upon the occasion of the Presentation of Freedom of the Borough 8th July 1948.

Ceremonial Key

30mm height x 195mm width x 85mm depth

Ceremonial silver key in a presentation box. The was presented to Mayor and Councillor, F.T. James, J.P., during the opening of Dowlais New Infants School on 5th October 1910.

Tel: 01685 727371
Last updated: 15.11.2011
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