Nottingham — The Luddites' Secret Oath

Your journey in Nottingham begins in front of the National Justice Museum. This building, formerly the Shire Hall, was constructed in 1375 and expanded in the 18th century to host the Nottinghamshire county assizes. It was here, in 1812-1813, that the famous Luddite trials took place, judging textile rioters who had destroyed 12 machines. The convicts' gallery, built in 1901, stands 5 meters high and could hold 200 spectators, testifying to the importance of justice in this city. This site was also a place of public execution until 1864, and the last hanging occurred here in 1928, marking the end of a dark era of British justice.

Continue to the Lace Market, the historic lace district, which peaked in 1810 with 1500 home looms. This was the epicenter of the Luddite riots of November 1811, where 1000 looms were destroyed on November 21st, triggering the movement. The Georgian buildings, constructed between 1770 and 1830, cover an area of 10 hectares and tell the story of Nottingham's industrial rise. The Adams Building, dating from 1820, is a striking example of an industrial warehouse with its 7 floors and 25-meter height, symbolizing the wealth generated by lace and the social tensions it created in the East Midlands.

Your quest then leads you to St Mary's Church, a Norman parish church whose tower, erected around 1440, culminates at 42 meters. Its spire was rebuilt in 1850 after being damaged by the Luddite fires of 1811-1812 in the adjacent textile district. The church houses 139 medieval stained-glass windows from the 14th century, including one depicting the apostle Peter, offering an artistic perspective on this period. This site was also the burial place of lace merchant families, involved in pre-Luddite labor tensions in the 17th century, thus linking the sacred to the profane at the heart of Nottingham's history.

Arriving at Old Market Square, the largest square in England with its 4 hectares, paved in 1973, you stand on a key site of Luddite gatherings in 1811-1812. Speeches against machines were delivered here in front of the central fountain, embodying worker resistance. King Edward VII's statue, erected in 1913 and 6 meters high, cast in bronze, dominates the square. This weekly market, authorized by royal charter from Henry III since 1235, is a living testament to Nottingham's commercial and social history, where the city's motto, "Veni, Vidi, Vici," takes on special meaning for protest movements.

Your exploration concludes with the Nottingham Canal, opened in 1796 and 14 km long, connecting Nottingham to the River Trent. This canal, essential for transporting lace and textile machines, was a target of Luddite sabotage in 1811. The Meadow Lane Lock, built in 1796, measures 25m x 4m and could accommodate vessels of 300 tons. The aqueduct over the Trent, dating from 1813 and 150 meters long, is a remarkable engineering feat that testifies to the economic importance of this waterway for the East Midlands. This journey will have offered you a concrete vision of Nottingham's history, a Grade I Listed Building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument recognized by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and awarded an East Midlands Tourism Award.