The Chartist ‘attack’ on the Isle of Wight in 1847 – well… nearly!

Keen Isle of Wight historians may be unaware of an episode in the Island’s history involving the Chartists, a radical working-class political movement in Victorian times.

Transcribing an old letter from Priscilla Young to her cousin Ann in 1847, I came across the following anecdote:

This morning I was a little excited by hearing that the Chartists had arrived at Cowes yesterday and the soldiers were called from Newport.

And what did it prove to be?

Nothing more than about 60 or 70 odd fellows who had a public dinner at Southampton took a fancy to see the Isle of Wight and our poor simple natives were alarmed at the intrusion and called for help from the Military in time. 

It would have been no use after they had run away with the Queen and her family would it?

It will cause many a laugh. These are perilous times. May the Lord give wisdom to all.