Free event: how did the Poor Law frame tyrannical discipline to #the_poor in England/Wales. Join Paul Carter, The National Archives & Steve King, Nottingham Trent Uni, to explore the history of #tyranny in the #workhouse c. 1780-1930. 2pm Fri 25 Sept 26. eventbrite.co.uk/e/tyranny-a…

Our New Book: Paul Carter & Steven King, #Petty_Tyranny_and_Oppression: Lives Under the Long Nineteenth-Century #Poor_Laws, 2026. We examine multiple cases of cruel & malicious acts upon #English & #Welsh #paupers from the mid-18thC to the 1914. amazon.co.uk/Petty-Tyranny-O…

Did this some time ago - still brilliant for use in class as a #history teaching aid/basis for class discussions. A set of #English & #Welsh #pauper_letters transcribed & read out by voice actors to aid class activities. Available via our Education pages. nationalarchives.gov.uk/educ…

The culmination of this work - new book based on new archival research & underpinned by 1000s of cases between the second half of the 18thC to 1914. There is a book launch, details here: #workhousetyranny #The_National_Archives #Nottingham_Trent_University eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-laun…

The cases listed before this post are a (tiny) part of work that @TheirWrite have worked up for over 2 years. The subject, an often referenced but little examined #history - a focused look at petty tyranny in English & Welsh #workhouses #workhousetyranny londonpublishingpartnership.…

1894, the workhouse nurse at the #Hackney #Workhouse school was convicted by local magistrates for cruel and inhumane usage of #pauper children across eight years. Her actions were varied: from neglecting to provide food and water to inflicting serious assaults. #workhousetyranny

1871, William Mahony, 8yr old inmate of #Newport #Workhouse school said he was beaten by the school manager. Hit across the face and kicked in the ribs - he was "taken to the Greenhouse, and again” beaten. The case was bravely reported by Mary, his young sister. #workhousetyranny

1869, #paupers at #Abergavenny #workhouse said the master bought cheap food & kept the profits... an “injustice [that] cannot be brought to light by any Pauper; not one of whom dare report the said grievance, knowing the complainant would be victimised after’. #workhouse_tyranny

In 1895, Thomas Spicer, Bethnal Green #pauper #workhouse #inmate, brought to a Police Court for talking when told to be silent. The case was referred to as a ‘Tyranny of Silence’. When his case was read out Spicer shouted, ‘This is a work house, not a prison’. #workhouse_tyranny

A reminder of our earlier book based on letters from #English and #Welsh #paupers and their advocates. Grounded on their own words this book gives us a pauper-eyed view of their lives, lived across the #Victorian period. #poor_law #workhouse #poverty shop.nationalarchives.gov.uk…

#History_Teachers. A free CPD event for using primary sources in your 19thC #history teaching – join us in Nottingham! we will introduce letters written by paupers. We have made 1000s of such letter transcripts & resources freely available online. See tinyurl.com/vicpoorcpdday

Usually, investigations were set up with the relevant local poor law authority – not this time! It was to be done ‘ without notice’. Great example of pauper agency: enlisting the aid of a powerful advocate to make the PLB examine local practice #British_Academy #AHRC @UKNatArcEdu

Editing pauper and advocate papers last night: all fascinating stuff! Abergavenny paupers (1869) petition the Duke of Beaufort that they get only the cheapest of food ‘of the worst description’. Beaufort passed the complaint on to the Poor Law Board who ordered an investigation.

Elizabeth Hurren's new book has dropped: #The_Pauper_Body_in_England_and_Wales_1750_to_1914_Histories_of_Nobody. Focused on stories of how ordinary people in #poverty lived with 'broken' bodies. Packed with first-hand archival accounts. A cracking read! academic.oup.com/book/62272

New Book - #Workhouse_Lives. Eds - Steve King & Sam Shave. Beyond the bricks & regulations, English and & Welsh #workhouses (and lives of #pauper inmates) were shaped by those who ran them - workhouse staff: masters, matrons, nurses, porters etc. #history mqup.ca/Books/W/Workhouse-Li…

Free CPD event for primary/secondary #history_teachers using primary sources in their 19thC #history teaching. This CPD day introduces poor law letters (and context) to teachers - we have made 1000s of such letter transcripts & resources free. tinyurl.com/vicpoorcpdday @TheirWrite

gates’. She said ‘Old Beef... given to my Brother & the others is quite black and so hard & tuff that the Poor People cannot chew or masticate it & the Meates & other Foods are so spoiled… Poor people cannot eat them... & continually complain of hunger & half #starved’. #Wales

Case from @TheirWrite f'coming book on #Petty_Tyranny_and_Oppression(#New_Poor_Law).Aug 1859 Fanny Hitchins, #pauper, wrote she was refused taking milk & oranges to her brother (inmate in the #Abergavenny #workhouse) and ‘was struck & nocked away by the Master & turned from the..

24 Apr 2026: #Festival_of_Social_History (organised by Social History Society & Inst of Historical Research. A great team of speakers is set up (inc. our own Paul Carter, speaking on the #New_Poor_Law/ #pauper letters/correspondence/resources). Details: socialhistory.org.uk/events/…

At the moment Bernard is working on #pauper_punishments under the #New_Poor_Law (example here from the #Swansea_Union). Looking forward to it coming out.