Newton Rebels website

Rebellion at Newton - 40 dead!

In 1607, Halley's Comet was seen in England, a portent that perhaps held significance for the small Northamptonshire hamlet of Newton, where in common with many places in the East Midlands, the local landowner was enclosing the common land and tearing the peasants from their homes and occupations.

Trouble had been brewing for some time and there are reports of gatherings of 3000 people at Hillmorton, Warwickshire; of 5000 at Cotesbach, Leicestershire and others at Rushton, Pytchley and Haselbech.

On the 30th May 1607, King James I issued a royal proclamation to the authorities, ordering the suppression of these gatherings. In June 1607, over 40 people were killed in Newton by an army raised by the local landowners, the Treshams, whilst trying to protest against the enclosure of common land.
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