THE PETERLOO MASSACRE MEDAL

The New Peterloo Medal will be displayed for the first time at the People's History Museum from the evening of Thursday August 9-Friday August 31.

The Peterloo Massacre occurred on August 16,1819 when 60,000 people gathered on what was then known as St Peter's Field in Manchester, seeking the reform of parliamentary representation.

When troops charged the crowd the peaceful protest was turned into a massacre and an estimated 18 people lost their lives. It is thought the medal may have been produced to raise funds for the victims of the massacre.

While there were several commemorative medals produced following the massacre - with a different example already on display in the museum - The New Peterloo Medal is believed to be the only one of its kind uncovered to date.

The new acquisition features a more aggressive slogan than its counterparts. The front of the coin depicts a scene with the yeomanry riding into the crowd, one individual holding up a cap of liberty on a pole.

The inscription on the back reads, "The magistrates and yeomanry of Manchester God confound them", and "These things will not endure or be endured" around the edge.

Jenny Mabbott, head of collections at People's History Museum, said: "As we head towards the 200th anniversary of Peterloo and during the centenary year of the first women obtaining the vote, there couldn't be a more appropriate time to reflect upon the themes of protest and democracy which this historical event brings to the fore.

"The New Peterloo Medal is an incredibly exciting and rare addition to our existing Peterloo collection and is definitely a must see for anyone who wants a taste of what's to come at the People's History Museum in 2019."

The museum holds the largest collection of political material in Britain. Befitting the national museum of democracy, objects related to the fight for the vote make up a core of the collection. The objects are hugely varied. The PHM collection of trade union and political banners is the largest and most important of its type in the world. The museum also houses an internationally significant political archive and includes the complete holdings of the Labour Party and Communist Party of Great Britain. PHM also holds over 95,000 photographic images covering labour history, the Labour Party and more general political history

To visit the People's History Museum website, see:
https://phm.org.uk/

To read the complete article, see:
Peterloo massacre victims remembered 199 years on as People's History Museum issue rare medal (http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/080877583-peterloo-massacre-victims-remembered-199-years-peoples-history-museum-issue-rare)

To read the complete article, see:
Rare medal goes on display to commemorate 199th anniversary of Peterloo at People's History Museum (http://aboutmanchester.co.uk/44279-2/)

Peterloo Riots, white metal medal, circa 1819, the cavalry cut down men, women and children in the street, MANCHESTER/ AUGUST 16/ 1819, rev. MANCHESTER/ AUGUST 16/ 1819, REV. THE WICKED HAVE DRAWN OUT THE SWORD/ THEY HAVE CUT DOWN/ THE POOR AND NEEDY/ AND SUCH AS BE OF/ UPRIGHT CONVERSATION/ PSALM XXX VII/ XIV, £Sold

On 16th August, approximately 50,000 people gathered at St. Peter's Fields, Manchester, to listen to speeches protesting against the working conditions in England. Amongst those present was Henry 'Orator' Hunt. As the mood grew angrier the local magistrates lost their heads and ordered the reading of the Riot Act. When this failed to calm things down, the Yeomanry were ordered to charge, killing eleven people and injuring 400. The term 'Massacre of Peterloo' was an ironic reference to Waterloo and was a crucial event in English social history

To read the complete item description, see:
Peterloo Riots (http://www.historicmedals.com/viewItem.php?no=758)

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