The Rebecca Riots
Printed From: History Community ~ All Empires
Category: Regional History or Period History
Forum Name: Early Modern & the Imperial Age
Forum Discription: World History from 1500 to the end of WW1
URL: http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32545
Printed Date: 08-Jun-2024 at 11:29
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.56a - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: The Rebecca Riots
Posted By: Salah ad-Din
Subject: The Rebecca Riots
Date Posted: 20-Oct-2012 at 23:48
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In 1843 the toll charges placed on public roads caused a minor revolt to break
out in Wales. Likely history would have completely forgotten this had it not
been for the bizarre manner in which the rioters conducted their
resistance. The rebels, predominately Welshmen, formed a secret society. Each of its chapters was headed by a man calling himself 'Rebecca', with those under him styling themselves 'daughters of Rebecca' - some members of this movement even took to cross-dressing. Inevitably, soldiers were sent into Wales to extinguish this tiny rising. But why on earth did these rebels adopt the image they did, and what is the significance of the name Rebecca? |
Replies:
Posted By: Nick1986
Date Posted: 27-Oct-2012 at 11:08
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It was normal for women to recieve more lenient punishments than men because they were deemed irrational and child-like. A man who destroyed a tollbooth would be transported, but a woman would be fined (normally paid by her husband or father) ------------- Me Grimlock not nice Dino! Me bash brains! |
Posted By: Centrix Vigilis
Date Posted: 28-Oct-2012 at 01:18
I'm not even going to try and speculate why they cross dressed other then obvious...disguise. As for the name? Perhaps it was a reference to the biblical Matriarch who was known for steadfastness, generosity, kindness and loyalty. As she was also famous for her birthing travails of her twin sons....perhaps the rioters saw these tolls as their travails. Alas all of those wonderous traits are usually offset by trained troops and firearms... ...unless you got the same.  ------------- "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence" S. T. Friedman Pilger's law: 'If it's been officially denied, then it's probably true' |