53 - Starkey And Gladstone
Ronnie Bray continues his epic story of hardship and unrest in the early days of the Industrial Revolution.
Home | Luddite Spring
November 02, 2013
October 26, 2013
52 - William Dirker
...“Four muskets, a keg of powder, and plenty of lead for making shot. I’m getting’ six more muskets and a hundred rounds apiece for them day after tomorrow. I am also getting a cannon to stand behind my main doors in case they break through. To make sure they don’t get in I’ve had the doors clad inside with boilerplate and heavily studded on the outside with carriage bolts and bighead nails so they’ll not get through. But,” he added, “if they do, then I’ll blow them to smithereens with the cannon!”...
The masters prepare to defend their mills against attacks from militant workers.
Ronnie Bray continues his novel concerning epic events in the early days of the industrial revolution.
October 19, 2013
51 - Animals
... It is you that is wrong, Mister Staithes, not them. If you don’t start treating them right, then the time might come when the Devil will come for you with them as his soldiers!” ...
Ronnie Bray continues his dramatic story of a great uprising.
October 12, 2013
50 The Little Bishop
...“Did God mean for the rich to abuse the poor? Is being poor a sin for which God is punishing the poor?” ...
Ronnie Bray continues his story of an epic fight for justive in the early days of the Industrial Revolution.
October 05, 2013
49 - The Sign
...When he contemplated the course of actions he and his fellows might take in their pursuit of social justice, he took to brooding about what God thought of such actions...
Ronnie Bray continues his epic story of the days when good men rose up to protest about shocking working conditions.
September 28, 2013
48 - Church Talk
...“He said that in England everyone went to church, and were better for it. I asked him how a poor man that toiled hard for six days out of seven could benefit by sitting through a carping list of nasty remarks week by week.”
“What did he say?”
“He said that it was time poor people realised what God had made them for, and got used to liking it. If they didn’t, he said, they will go straight to Hell...
Ronnie Bray continues his epic novel concerning a workers' uprising in the early days of the Industrial Revolution.
48 - Church Talk
...“He said that in England everyone went to church, and were better for it. I asked him how a poor man that toiled hard for six days out of seven could benefit by sitting through a carping list of nasty remarks week by week.”
“What did he say?”
“He said that it was time poor people realised what God had made them for, and got used to liking it. If they didn’t, he said, they will go straight to Hell...
Ronnie Bray continues his epic novel concerning a workers' uprising in the early days of the Industrial Revolution.
September 21, 2013
47 - Get Their Names
...The factory was a prison where the minds of workers were chained to its brutal system as were their emaciated and ill-clad bodies...
Ronnie Bray continues his magisterial novel about an uprising of textile workers in the early days of the Industrial Revolution.
September 14, 2013
46 - What Dreams May Come
Ronnie Bray continues his dramatic story of a workers' rebellion in the early days of the Industrial Revolution.
September 07, 2013
45 - The Warning
...Sir,
Unless you dispose of your sheering frames with out delay we shall break through your doors, smash them in pieces, and set about you other property to great damage. It is no good you resist we are more than a thousand and can come at pleasure. No one can help if you choose not to help yourself. If you fight it will be the worst for you.
General Ned Ludd and the Army of Redressers...
Ronnie Bray continues his dramatic story of industrial unrest at a turning point in British history.
45 - The Warning
...Sir,
Unless you dispose of your sheering frames with out delay we shall break through your doors, smash them in pieces, and set about you other property to great damage. It is no good you resist we are more than a thousand and can come at pleasure. No one can help if you choose not to help yourself. If you fight it will be the worst for you.
General Ned Ludd and the Army of Redressers...
Ronnie Bray continues his dramatic story of industrial unrest at a turning point in British history.
August 31, 2013
44 - The Secret
...He might be safer if he moved a bed into the mill, then he could lock himself in his office with a brace of muskets and a saddle pistol, and then woe betide any Luddite that tried to harm him!...
Ronnie Bray continues his novel set in the most turbulent period of England's industrial history.
August 24, 2013
43 - Humphrey Sutcliffe
...Humphrey Sutcliffe had mourned every child that had been trundled to its grave from injuries sustained in the mill, as if it were one of his own. Unlike Staithes, Sutcliffe had compassion...
Ronnie Bray continues his epic novel about a workers' revolt in the early days of the Industrial Revolution.
August 17, 2013
42 - Terrors
...Staithes’ never found rest easy to obtain. That is because his mind was always preoccupied with getting ahead, staying afloat, and making money...
Ronnie Bray continues his epic novel concerning a workers' uprising in the early days of the industrial revolution.
August 10, 2013
41 - Baillie Wullie MacTavish
...children, some little mites of no more than four or five years, replaced their fathers. Even three-year olds because of their size were used for dangerous tasks, such as cleaning under and within machinery that was operating at full speed...
Ronnie Bray continues his story of rebellion against horrifying conditions in the mills during the early days of the industrial revolution.
August 03, 2013
40 - The King Cometh
"The Luddite movement, like most rebellions in English history, had a short but spectacular life. Despite its brevity, it was an important step on the path that in time led to correcting industrial and social injustices,'' writes Ronnie Bray, continuing his epic tale.
July 27, 2013
39 - War Drums
...They were wrestling with thoughts of Ned Ludd and his Army. Whether he was a phantom or not, he was become real enough to them, and they were afraid...
The threat of damage to mill machinery by disaffected workers increases.
Ronnie Bray continues his dramatic tale based on the disturbances which occurred in the early days of the industrial revolution.
July 20, 2013
38 - Suicides
...“We’re bound to do it then?” said Ellies, his eyes wet with tears at the contemplation of his release from a world in which he had only known cruelty and fear.
“That we are, pal!” John was also weeping, overcome with the magnitude of what they were about to do...
Ronnie Bray continues his novel concerning the suffering of workers, old and young, in the early days of the industrial revolution.
July 13, 2013
37 - Starkey And Gladstone
...“Mill children don’t get to read and write. If they do, the masters eliminate them. They don’t want educated workers. Once a wage earner can read, he is likely to pick up ideas that will overturn his owner’s world. He might begin to read Paine and Cobbet, maybe even the New Testament, and decide he’s worth more than being an underpaid slave for the rest of his life. And he’d be right.”...
Ronnie Bray continues his novel concerning an uprising of ill-treated mill workers in the early days of the industrial revolution.
July 06, 2013
36 - Sairy Bright And Beautiful
...After passing ropes under the box, they lifted Sairey’s coffin over the opening before letting the ropes slip gently through their calloused hands, taking care not to bump her coffin against the sides of the grave on its way down. Their gentleness stood in sharp contrast to the treatment she had endured at Staithes’ mill, from Staithes and from his overlookers...
Ronnie Bray continues his novel set in the turbulent early days of the industrial revolution.
June 29, 2013
35 - Starkey And Gladstone
...“Yesterday’s Leeds Intelligencer has a report on the factory apprentice system that makes me think that all is not well within the walls of some mills. It says that they are no better than slave plantations, in some cases much worse, and ask whether it is proper for a civilised nation to tolerate such goings on.” ...
35 - Starkey And Gladstone
...“Yesterday’s Leeds Intelligencer has a report on the factory apprentice system that makes me think that all is not well within the walls of some mills. It says that they are no better than slave plantations, in some cases much worse, and ask whether it is proper for a civilised nation to tolerate such goings on.” ...
June 22, 2013
34 - Hunger Pains
"As the Industrial Revolution advanced, workers suffered constant reductions of their standards of living, increased malnutrition, and premature deaths. It was fashionable to describe workers’ revolts as revolution and treason,'' writes Ronnie Bray, continuing his novel concerning the most turbulent time in England's industrial history.
June 15, 2013
33 - Stench And Flies
...“That’s right. They live so close together and make so much muck between them that when one family gets sick it goes through the whole place like wildfire. When the houses are chock full and they need more workers, they go and cram as many more families into the houses that they can. They’re small houses to begin with, but what room there is has to be shared by two families and sometimes by many more. I’m never surprised to find coffins from each of the families in one house being carted away at the same time.”...
Ronnie Bray continues his novel concerning a workers' rebellion against foul conditions.
June 08, 2013
32 - Hunger
...“I’ll have machines, and workers to run them, even if have to steal children from off the streets and chain them to my frames and looms!”...
Ronnie Bray continues his gripping novel concerning workers fighting for their rights in the early days of the industrial revolution.
June 01, 2013
The Cropper's Song
Continuing his monumental novel concerning epoch-making industrial unrest, Ronnie Bray presents rebel song.
May 25, 2013
30 - Sometime
Ronnie Bray continues his novel about the Luddite rebellion by downtrodden workers during the early days of the Industrial Revolution.
May 18, 2013
29 - Suffer The Little Children
...It was impossible to look into Mistress Smith’s eyes and not realise that here was a mother with no tears left to cry. No matter what might happen to her family in the future, her crying was over...
Continuing his story of a workers' revolution Ronnie Bray outlines the harsh conditions mill workers had to endure.
May 11, 2013
28 - Starkey And Gladstone
There's talk of slavery when two old friends meet up in a pub.
Ronnie Bray continues his epic story concerning industrial unrest in the early days of the industrial revolution.
May 04, 2013
27 - Captain Gledhill
...I must impress on you that this is a serious business that could turn deadly. That is why you need to understand what you are getting into and what the end might be. Masters are calling police and troops to rout us...
Ronnie Bray continues his epic novel about the Luddite rebellion.
27 - Captain Gledhill
...I must impress on you that this is a serious business that could turn deadly. That is why you need to understand what you are getting into and what the end might be. Masters are calling police and troops to rout us...
Ronnie Bray continues his epic novel about the Luddite rebellion.
April 27, 2013
26 - The Gledhills
...“Why don’t they call it by its proper name when an owner or overseer kills a child? Why do the little ones have to be beaten, kicked, and half drowned every day to make them keep up with machines that run faster and faster? It isn’t right.” ...
Ronnie Bray continues his dramatic story of industrial rebellion.
April 20, 2013
25 - Gentlemen To Arms
...Every Luddite swore an oath in which he accepted the sanction of death if he were to deal treacherously with his brethren either by revealing their activities, or did or said anything that betrayed a brother or the fellowship...
Ronnie Bray continues his novel concerning epic events which marked the start of Birtain's modern industrial age.
April 13, 2013
24 - Even At The Doors
...Luddite letters were direct statements of intent to wage war against manufacturers that resisted their demands, including orders that they remove power machines, restore piecework rates, and return to former wage levels.,,
Ronnie Bray continues his epic story which revolves around the turbulent events which shaped Britain's indusrial future.
April 06, 2013
23 - Thou Art The Man
...“I’ve had a visit from Brother Jackson. He came late last night, and we discussed some things that involve you.”
“Me?” exclaimed Gledhill, surprised at the news. “What about me?” ...
Seth Gledhill agrees to take on a responsible position.
Ronnie Bray continues his epic novel based on turbulent events in the early days of England's industrial revolution.
March 30, 2013
22 - The Cherry Tree Inn
...“I’ve spoken with Squire Radcliffe, and he says as I’m within me rights to defend me property and machines every way I can. So, I’ve bought in some firearms and powder and I have a lad making musket balls out of lead as we’re sat here supping. I’m ready for them whenever they want to come and try their hands at wrecking anything of mine!”...
Ronnie Bray continues his epic story of the Luddite rebellion.
March 23, 2013
21 - Twisted In
...“There could be danger involved. We are making plans to set matters right about our work. You’ve heard about the rebels in Nottinghamshire and Lancashire breaking machines?” ...
Seth Gledhill takes an oath to fight against the new mahinery that is "stealing'' the jobs of textile workers.
Ronnie Bray continues his epic novel of the fight for rights in the early days of the industrial revolution.
March 16, 2013
20 - John Keith Atkinson
...Children were usually apprenticed at the age of seven, although it is known that many were much younger. Masters agreed to accept the responsibility to have children educated civilly and spiritually. The principal object of governors in orphanages and similar institutions was to get as many children as possible off their hands as quickly as possible by finding places for them. So great was the pressure for places in orphanages and asylums that the policy was to keep them no longer than was necessary. Such children were bound by law to their masters until the age of twenty-one...
Ronnie Bray continues his novel concerning the Luddite uprising by mill workers protesting about inhumane working conditions.
March 09, 2013
19 - Deadly Machines
...As the machines went faster, the workers became more frenetic. They had to dodge bone-crushing cogs, arm breaking sleys, and shuttles flying at almost sightless speed from one end of the sley to the other and back in hypnotic rhythm, too fast for tired eyes in dim surroundings to follow...
Ronnie Bray continues his novel based on the rebellion of mill workers in he early days of the industrial revolution.
March 02, 2013
18 - James Bray
The devious Reynold Staithes tries to get the better of another cloth manufacturer.
Ronnie Bray continues his epic novel concerning the workers' rebellion in the early days of the industrial revolution.
February 23, 2013
17 - The Moorcock Inn
...“Oh, there are lots of things that need putting right, but I don’t know how. I’m blowed if I do! Perhaps one man can’t do all that needs doing to make things right. Our little Mary’s death set off something inside of me. But it wasn’t just that. There are lots of things that aren’t right.”
“There could be others that feel the same way about things, Seth,” confided Crowther...
Rebellion is brewing among downtrodden mill works.
Ronnie Bray continues his epic novel based on real events in English history.
February 16, 2013
Episode 16 - Gledhill's Vision
Ronnie Bray continues his novel concerning the growing unrest of downtrodden workers in the early days of England's industrial revolution.plea for
February 09, 2013
Episode 15 - Oderint Dum Metuant
...“There used to be too many jobs,” remarked Gladstone, morosely, “and not enough hands for them, but now there’s too many hands and no jobs for them...
Ronnie Bray continues his novel concerning the troubles and turmoil at the onset of the industrial revolution in England.
February 02, 2013
Episode 14 - James Bray
Ronnie Bray continues his epic novel concerning the fight for workers' rights in the early days of the industrial revolution.
January 26, 2013
Episode 13 - Treachery And Hope
...English workers had been forced into fighting postures with gathering speed as their lives darkened in despair...
Ronnie Bray continues his novel concerning justice and turmoil in the early days of the industrial revolution.
January 19, 2013
Episode 12
January 12, 2013
Episode 11 - The Gledhills
...Mary felt his fear and adding it to her own, said, without lifting her head, “What must be done, Seth, you must do. I know we cannot let fear overcome us when the time comes to be brave, Seth. You are a good and strong man and I trust you to act right. We shall be alright.”...
Downtrodden millworkers begin to think of fighting back.
Ronnie Bray continues his novel set in Yorkshire in the early days of the Industrial Revolution.
January 05, 2013
Episode 10 - Apprenticed!
...He remembered the day he and about sixty other children were told to make a paper parcel of their belongings. Brown paper and string were provided. They were loaded into the back of two horse drawn carts and trundled over unmade roads for five days...
Ronnie Bray continues his novel which highlights the evils which prevailed at the start of the Indusrial Revolution.
December 29, 2012
Episode 9
Continuing his novel concerning the establishment of the first modern industrial nation, Ronnie Bray's narrative vividly highlights the plights if child "slaves''.
December 22, 2012
Episode 8
"Slums and textile mills went hand in glove. Owners threw up row on row of cheap substandard back-to-back terrace houses around their mills that were characterised by overcrowding and squalor,'' writes Ronnie Bray, continuing his dramatic tale of social unrest at the outset of Britain's indugrial revolution.
December 15, 2012
Episode 7
...He was a man that was feared, but not because of his physical bearing, for a robust child might have sent him flat on his back with a firm push. He was feared because he was mean and spiteful and because people believed that spiteful people were possessed by the Devil...
Continuing his dramatic story set in the early days of the Industrial Revolution, Ronnie Bray tells of an evil Yorkshire mill owner.
December 08, 2012
Episode 6
...“If I worked my slaves as hard as you drive your freemen, I would not be able to lift up my head among my fellows, nor my voice to heaven!''...
Ronnie Bray continues his novel about the rebellion of down-trodden mill workers.
December 01, 2012
Episode 5
...“Damn them!” he cried, his pent-up anger bringing his clenched fist down on the kitchen table hard enough to make stale crumbs leap out of the sprung joints of its warped pine boards...
Ronnie Bray continues his novel which concerns the tide of change that was to sweep over industrial workers in the north of England.
November 24, 2012
Episode 4
...“My little girl is dying, and my wife stands in need of prayer and comfort. I am asking if the reverend gentleman will attend her.” ...
Seth Glehdill seeks help from the local vicar.
Ronnie Bray continues his novel concerning turbulent times at the beginning of the industrial revolution.
November 17, 2012
Episode 3
...To say that Seth Gledhill was angry would be a foolish understatement. His fury had been rising for some time because of conditions and wages in the textile industry. He had been successful in keeping it concealed. However, today his anger was uncontrollable after an elderly weaver approached him as he was leaving the factory...
Ronnie Bray begins his epic novel based on historic events at the start of England's industrial revolution.
November 10, 2012
Episode 2
...Now we introduce ourselves to the special time in English history when Old Albion was catapulted from an agrarian rustic land into a mechanised industrial nation by a series of events referred to collectively as the Industrial Revolution...
Ronnie Bray concludes the introduction to his epic novel.
November 03, 2012
Episode 1
Today we begin the serialisation of a monumental novel by Ronnie Bray, a regular and popular columnist in Open Writing for many years.
Ronnie's story concerns the Luddite rebellion, one of the most important and historic events at the beginning of the Industrual Revolution.
The story is set in Ronnie's native Yorkshire, the county where these life-changing events occurred.
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