Archivo del autor: Peter Van der Heyden

13.1. Threshing Machines https://history.pictures/2020/03/03/13-1-threshing-machines/ 13.2. The Swing Riots -Dimensions https://history.pictures/2020/03/04/13-2-the-swing-riots/ 13.3 Incomes and Food Level https://history.pictures/2020/03/04/13-3-incomes-and-food-level/ 13.4. Appearance of the Men https://history.pictures/2020/03/07/13-4-appearance-of-the-men/ 13.5. Kent and East Sussex https://history.pictures/2020/03/07/13-5-kent-and-east-sussex/ 13.6. Violence in Kent and Sussex https://history.pictures/2020/03/07/13-6-violence-in-kent-and-sussex/ 13.7. Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire https://history.pictures/2020/03/07/13-7-wiltshire-hampshire-berkshire/ 13.8. Defense of the Farms by the Labourers https://history.pictures/2020/03/08/13-8-defence-of-the-farms-by-the-labourers/ 13.9. Beer Drinking and Beer HousesSigue leyendo «Chapter 13. The Swing Riots»

The figures as to monetary incomes are not complete if they do not take into account the rents paid, and the food from their own acivities.  “Taking the three counties of Shropshire, Denbighshire and Flintshire, should you say that the condition of the labourers now, as compared with their condition in 1800, was better orSigue leyendo «12.14. Cottages, Allotments, Potatoes, Cows»

For the year 1868, we have information from Mr. Denton, a land engineer, who had a long experience of the agricultural activities in different regions of England, and had also noted the wages. The following text is interesting, because it shows that an arithmetical comparison of wages between agricultural labourers and industrial workers may wellSigue leyendo «12.13. Wage Levels 1868»

Sir James Caird, an expert on farming in England, visited the majority of agricultural counties in 1850 and 1851, and wrote a number of reports on the farming activities in each area for “The Times”, which were then published in book form. He also noted the labourers’ wages and the cost of provisions, and presentedSigue leyendo «12.12. Comparison 1770 to 1850»

The agricultural and non-agricultural occupations have to be calculated and analysed separately, as there are a number of differences in wages and in structure of expenses. Wages   Agricultural Non-agricultural       Wage level Defined by farmers’ incomes, i.e. wheat prices Defined by negotiations with business owners, or with impersonal market Wages movements in high-inflation periodsSigue leyendo «12.11. Wages, Expenses, Real Wages, 1770-1860»

The comparison of earnings (only weekly winter wages) with expenses, and the real wages (index 1770 = 100) are: Earnings Expenses RealWage Earnings Expenses RealWage 1815 186.2 150.6 123.6 1841 169.2 151.7   111.6 1816 183.1 159.1 115.0 1842 161.5 137.3 117.6 1817   189.2 178.2 106.2 1843 153.8 126.3 121.8 1818 190.8 178.2 107.1Sigue leyendo «12.10. Real Wages»

The calculation of the cost of living uses practically the same sources and rules, as for the chapter 1770-1815. Clothing “Do not they use fustian for their clothing?” “Yes; they cannot afford to wear their own native wool.” “But they wear a great deal of fustian, which is cheaper than woollen cloth by half?” “Yes,Sigue leyendo «12.9. Calculation of Cost of Living»

The daily life of the farm labourers was made easier by the introduction of many implements and simple machines made of iron: scythes, forks, billhooks, hedgeslashers, ploughshares, clod-crushers, harrows, lightweight iron ploughs, horse-drawn butter churns, horse-drawn hay rakes and cheesepressers. Hay rakingThe picture shows a horse-drawn hay rake and the traditional hand held wooden rake.Sigue leyendo «12.8. New Implements»

Special Assistant Poor Law Commissioners were sent in 1843 to report on the Employment of Women and Children in Agriculture, in a number of counties in England. The four commissioners visited a) Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon, and Somerset, b) Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, c) Suffolk, Norfolk, and Lincoln, d) Yorkshire and Northumberland. It is clear thatSigue leyendo «12.7. Conditions of the Labourers 1834-1860»

Mr. Purdy, the head of the Statistical Area of the Poor Law Administration,  gives some real cases of expenses. A family in Kent, November 1835:     s  d       Earnings   9 0       Flour 5 gallons 4 2 Bacon 3 ½ lbs. 1 5 Butter 1 ½ lbs. 1 2 ¼Sigue leyendo «12.6. Real Family Budgets»