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Battle of Bossenden Wood

May 03, 2024

The Battle of Bossenden Wood took place on 31 May 1838 near Hernhill in Kent; it has been called the last battle on English soil. The battle was fought between a small group of labourers from the Hernhill, Dunkirk, and Boughton area and a detachment of soldiers sent from Canterbury to arrest the marchers' leader, the self-styled Sir William Courtenay, who was actually John Nichols Tom, a Truro maltster who had spent four years in Kent County Lunatic Asylum. Eleven men died in the brief confrontation: Courtenay, eight of his followers and two of those sent to apprehend them. The background context of the battle was the impact of new Poor Law and it has been linked with the Swing riots.[1]

Scene at Bossenden Wood drawn by an eyewitness, expressly for the Penny Satirist

Background edit

 
Courtenay

Courtenay had appeared in Canterbury in 1832, standing unsuccessfully in the December 1832 general election and, although suspected of being an imposter, becoming a popular local figure. He had been convicted of perjury in 1833 after giving evidence in defence of some smugglers. Originally sentenced to transportation, he had been transferred to Barming Heath Asylum after a woman from Cornwall, Catherine Tom, identified him as her missing husband and said he had previously been treated for insanity.[2] On his release from the asylum in October 1837, instead of returning to his family in Cornwall, he stayed in Kent and built up a following in the area of Boughton under Blean, Hernhill and the Ville of Dunkirk. The area had already experienced agrarian discontent and protest against the New Poor Law of 1834 and the farm labourers, and a few of the smallholders and trades people, were receptive to Courtenay’s millenarian preaching and promises of a better life.[3]

On 29 May, Oak Apple Day, Courtenay and a band of followers began to march around the nearby countryside with a flag and a loaf of bread on a pole (a traditional symbol of protest).[4] Courtenay rode a grey horse; his followers were on foot. Although at this stage the protesters were acting peacefully some wealthier landowners were becoming alarmed, and on 31 May 1838, a local magistrate, Dr Poore, issued a warrant for Tom's arrest.[5] It is not clear exactly what the warrant was for – to arrest Courtenay or to arrest workers who were in breach of contract with their employers.[6] A parish constable, John Mears, together with his brother, Nicholas Mears, and an assistant, Daniel Edwards, went to find Courtenay at Bossenden Farm, where he was staying with his followers. Courtenay shot and killed Nicholas Mears, the constable's brother.[7]

Battle edit

When news of the killing reached the magistrates, they sent to Canterbury for soldiers and a detachment of the 45th Foot was despatched from the barracks. It was led by Major Armstrong, with three junior officers and about a hundred soldiers. The regiment had recently returned from India, and the following year they would kill twenty Chartists at Newport. While they were waiting for the soldiers, a group of armed gentry and farmers took shots at Courtenay and his band as they moved around the Hernhill area.[8] By this time some of Courtenay’s followers had escaped. There were about 35 or 40 left, armed only with sticks, except for Courtenay who had pistols and a sword and one follower who had a pistol.[9]

The soldiers split into two groups to execute a pincer movement. One of the groups, led by Captain Reid and magistrates Knatchbull and Baldock, divided again, with Lieutenant Henry Boswell Bennett at the head of one of the small groups. It was this group that approached Courtenay’s band in the clearing, while the other group, under Major Armstrong and magistrate Poore, circled round to the far side of the clearing.[10] There was a brief fight, lasting only a few minutes. Courtenay shot Bennett dead and then was himself shot and killed as Armstrong’s men opened fire and charged with bayonets. Eight of Courtenay’s followers were killed or mortally wounded.[11] A young man from Faversham, George Catt, who had been helping the magistrates was caught in the soldiers’ fire and killed.[12]

Aftermath edit

 
A list of rioters killed in the Battle of Bosenden and buried in Hernhill churchyard. Courtenay is listed as John Tom.

On Saturday 2 June Lieutenant Bennett was buried in Canterbury Cathedral precincts with full military honours.[13] On the same day an inquest at the White Horse, Boughton, returned a verdict of "justifiable homicide" on the deaths of Courtenay and his followers. Those who were following Courtenay and were killed were: Stephen Baker (22), William Foster (33), William Rye (46), Edward Wraight (62), Phineas Harvey (27), William Burford (33), George Griggs (23), and George Branchett (49). Griggs and Branchett were buried in Boughton churchyard; all the rest, including Courtenay, were buried in Hernhill churchyard.[14]

Over the following days about thirty of Courtenay’s followers were arrested and appeared either at the inquest or at the petty sessions in Faversham. Sixteen were committed for trial on a charge of murder. Ten men would eventually stand trial at Maidstone Assizes in early August, the rest having been discharged by the assize grand jury.[15] Two (Thomas Mears and William Price) were charged with the murder of the brother of the constable and nine (Thomas Mears, Edward Curling, Alexander Foad, William Foad, Richard Foreman, Thomas Griggs, Charles Hills, Edward Wraight, and William Wills) with the murder of Lieutenant Bennett, with one, Thomas Mears, charged with both murders.[16]

Thomas Mears and William Price stood trial first. The jury returned a guilty verdict, with a recommendation for mercy. The judge, Lord Denman, duly pronounced sentence of death but immediately told the men that the sentence would not be carried out. Seeing this result, the nine charged with the murder of Lieutenant Bennett pleaded guilty; they too were sentenced to death but immediately reprieved. Thomas Mears and William Wills were sentenced to be transported to Australia for life, William Price for ten years, and the rest were sentenced to a prison term of one year.[17]

References edit

  1. ^ Gore, David (2006). On Kentish Chalk: A Farming Family of the North Downs. David Gore. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-9530912-2-5.
  2. ^ Rogers 1961: 69-71. Courtenay never acknowledged that he was John Nichols Tom and married to Catherine.
  3. ^ Reay 1990: 85
  4. ^ Reay 1990: 85
  5. ^ Rogers: 93-110
  6. ^ Reay 1990: 164
  7. ^ Rogers 1961: 110-112
  8. ^ Reay 1990: 91-92
  9. ^ Rogers 1961: 128-130
  10. ^ Reay 1990: 92-93
  11. ^ Reay 1990: 93
  12. ^ Rogers 1961: 136
  13. ^ Rogers 1961: 147
  14. ^ Reay 1990: 158
  15. ^ Reay 1990: 159
  16. ^ Reay 1990: 159; The Times, 11 Aug 1838, p. 6
  17. ^ Reay 1990: 159-164

Bibliography edit

  • B Reay 1990 The last rising of the agricultural labourers: rural life and protest in nineteenth-century England. Oxford: Clarendon Press ISBN 0-19-820187-7 (1 October 1990), ISBN 978-0-9564827-2-3 (Breviary Stuff Publications, 31 July 2010).
  • PG Rogers 1961 Battle in Bossenden Wood: the strange story of Sir William Courtenay. London: Oxford University Press

Further reading edit

  • Vagabonds All by His Honour Judge Edward Abbott Parry, published by Charles Scribner's Sons in 1926, 264p. illust. See "Ch.IX: John Nichols Tom, The Zealot", p. 184-207.
  • The Life and Extraordinary Adventures of Sir William Courtenay by 'Canterburiensis' (pseud) Canterbury: published by James Hunt (1838)

External links edit

    51°18′0″N 0°59′25″E / 51.30000°N 0.99028°E / 51.30000; 0.99028

    May 03, 2024
    battle, bossenden, wood, took, place, 1838, near, hernhill, kent, been, called, last, battle, english, soil, battle, fought, between, small, group, labourers, from, hernhill, dunkirk, boughton, area, detachment, soldiers, sent, from, canterbury, arrest, marche. The Battle of Bossenden Wood took place on 31 May 1838 near Hernhill in Kent it has been called the last battle on English soil The battle was fought between a small group of labourers from the Hernhill Dunkirk and Boughton area and a detachment of soldiers sent from Canterbury to arrest the marchers leader the self styled Sir William Courtenay who was actually John Nichols Tom a Truro maltster who had spent four years in Kent County Lunatic Asylum Eleven men died in the brief confrontation Courtenay eight of his followers and two of those sent to apprehend them The background context of the battle was the impact of new Poor Law and it has been linked with the Swing riots 1 Scene at Bossenden Wood drawn by an eyewitness expressly for the Penny Satirist Contents 1 Background 2 Battle 3 Aftermath 4 References 5 Bibliography 6 Further reading 7 External linksBackground edit nbsp Courtenay Courtenay had appeared in Canterbury in 1832 standing unsuccessfully in the December 1832 general election and although suspected of being an imposter becoming a popular local figure He had been convicted of perjury in 1833 after giving evidence in defence of some smugglers Originally sentenced to transportation he had been transferred to Barming Heath Asylum after a woman from Cornwall Catherine Tom identified him as her missing husband and said he had previously been treated for insanity 2 On his release from the asylum in October 1837 instead of returning to his family in Cornwall he stayed in Kent and built up a following in the area of Boughton under Blean Hernhill and the Ville of Dunkirk The area had already experienced agrarian discontent and protest against the New Poor Law of 1834 and the farm labourers and a few of the smallholders and trades people were receptive to Courtenay s millenarian preaching and promises of a better life 3 On 29 May Oak Apple Day Courtenay and a band of followers began to march around the nearby countryside with a flag and a loaf of bread on a pole a traditional symbol of protest 4 Courtenay rode a grey horse his followers were on foot Although at this stage the protesters were acting peacefully some wealthier landowners were becoming alarmed and on 31 May 1838 a local magistrate Dr Poore issued a warrant for Tom s arrest 5 It is not clear exactly what the warrant was for to arrest Courtenay or to arrest workers who were in breach of contract with their employers 6 A parish constable John Mears together with his brother Nicholas Mears and an assistant Daniel Edwards went to find Courtenay at Bossenden Farm where he was staying with his followers Courtenay shot and killed Nicholas Mears the constable s brother 7 Battle editWhen news of the killing reached the magistrates they sent to Canterbury for soldiers and a detachment of the 45th Foot was despatched from the barracks It was led by Major Armstrong with three junior officers and about a hundred soldiers The regiment had recently returned from India and the following year they would kill twenty Chartists at Newport While they were waiting for the soldiers a group of armed gentry and farmers took shots at Courtenay and his band as they moved around the Hernhill area 8 By this time some of Courtenay s followers had escaped There were about 35 or 40 left armed only with sticks except for Courtenay who had pistols and a sword and one follower who had a pistol 9 The soldiers split into two groups to execute a pincer movement One of the groups led by Captain Reid and magistrates Knatchbull and Baldock divided again with Lieutenant Henry Boswell Bennett at the head of one of the small groups It was this group that approached Courtenay s band in the clearing while the other group under Major Armstrong and magistrate Poore circled round to the far side of the clearing 10 There was a brief fight lasting only a few minutes Courtenay shot Bennett dead and then was himself shot and killed as Armstrong s men opened fire and charged with bayonets Eight of Courtenay s followers were killed or mortally wounded 11 A young man from Faversham George Catt who had been helping the magistrates was caught in the soldiers fire and killed 12 Aftermath edit nbsp A list of rioters killed in the Battle of Bosenden and buried in Hernhill churchyard Courtenay is listed as John Tom On Saturday 2 June Lieutenant Bennett was buried in Canterbury Cathedral precincts with full military honours 13 On the same day an inquest at the White Horse Boughton returned a verdict of justifiable homicide on the deaths of Courtenay and his followers Those who were following Courtenay and were killed were Stephen Baker 22 William Foster 33 William Rye 46 Edward Wraight 62 Phineas Harvey 27 William Burford 33 George Griggs 23 and George Branchett 49 Griggs and Branchett were buried in Boughton churchyard all the rest including Courtenay were buried in Hernhill churchyard 14 Over the following days about thirty of Courtenay s followers were arrested and appeared either at the inquest or at the petty sessions in Faversham Sixteen were committed for trial on a charge of murder Ten men would eventually stand trial at Maidstone Assizes in early August the rest having been discharged by the assize grand jury 15 Two Thomas Mears and William Price were charged with the murder of the brother of the constable and nine Thomas Mears Edward Curling Alexander Foad William Foad Richard Foreman Thomas Griggs Charles Hills Edward Wraight and William Wills with the murder of Lieutenant Bennett with one Thomas Mears charged with both murders 16 Thomas Mears and William Price stood trial first The jury returned a guilty verdict with a recommendation for mercy The judge Lord Denman duly pronounced sentence of death but immediately told the men that the sentence would not be carried out Seeing this result the nine charged with the murder of Lieutenant Bennett pleaded guilty they too were sentenced to death but immediately reprieved Thomas Mears and William Wills were sentenced to be transported to Australia for life William Price for ten years and the rest were sentenced to a prison term of one year 17 References edit Gore David 2006 On Kentish Chalk A Farming Family of the North Downs David Gore p 27 ISBN 978 0 9530912 2 5 Rogers 1961 69 71 Courtenay never acknowledged that he was John Nichols Tom and married to Catherine Reay 1990 85 Reay 1990 85 Rogers 93 110 Reay 1990 164 Rogers 1961 110 112 Reay 1990 91 92 Rogers 1961 128 130 Reay 1990 92 93 Reay 1990 93 Rogers 1961 136 Rogers 1961 147 Reay 1990 158 Reay 1990 159 Reay 1990 159 The Times 11 Aug 1838 p 6 Reay 1990 159 164Bibliography editB Reay 1990 The last rising of the agricultural labourers rural life and protest in nineteenth century England Oxford Clarendon Press ISBN 0 19 820187 7 1 October 1990 ISBN 978 0 9564827 2 3 Breviary Stuff Publications 31 July 2010 PG Rogers 1961 Battle in Bossenden Wood the strange story of Sir William Courtenay London Oxford University PressFurther reading editVagabonds All by His Honour Judge Edward Abbott Parry published by Charles Scribner s Sons in 1926 264p illust See Ch IX John Nichols Tom The Zealot p 184 207 The Life and Extraordinary Adventures of Sir William Courtenay by Canterburiensis pseud Canterbury published by James Hunt 1838 External links editHistory of Dunkirk in Kent 51 18 0 N 0 59 25 E 51 30000 N 0 99028 E 51 30000 0 99028 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Battle of Bossenden Wood amp oldid 1137533410, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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