1780

Events edit

June 2 - Gordon Riots: Lord George Gordon assembles a crowd of about 50,000 militant Protestants at St George's Fields and lead them to London. When they reach the capital, they attempt to force their way into the House of Commons, with Gordon leading the charge, holding a petition demanding the repeal of the Papists Act. A detachment of soldiers disperses the mob, and the petition, which Gordon had handed over, is rejected by Parliament. However, another mob soon forms in Lincoln's Inn Fields, a district in London, and attacks the Sardinian Roman Catholic Embassy. Police are dispatched and thirteen of the rioters are arrested. The riots eventually disperse after the military kill 285 rioters and capture 450, on June 9th. Gordon was arrested and charged with high treason.