Midland Revolt

The Midland Revolt was a popular uprising which took place in the Midlands of England in 1607. Beginning in late April in Haselbech, Pytchley and Rushton in Northamptonshire, and spreading to Warwickshire and Leicestershire throughout May, riots took place as a protest against the enclosure of common land.

The riots drew considerable support and were led by "Captain Pouch", otherwise known as John Reynolds, a tinker said to be of Desborough, Northamptonshire. He told the protestors he had authority from the King and the Lord of Heaven to destroy enclosures and promised to protect protesters by the contents of his pouch, which he carried by his side, which he said would keep them from all harm. He urged his followers to use no violence in their efforts to destroy the hated enclosures. 3000 protesters were recorded at Hillmorton, Warwickshire and 5000 at Cotesbach, Leicestershire. A curfew was imposed in the city of Leicester, as it was feared citizens would stream out of the city to join the riots. A gibbet was erected in Leicester as a warning, and was pulled down by the citizens.

The culmination of the Midlands Revolt was the Newton Rebellion. In early June, over a thousand protesters had gathered in Newton, near Kettering, Northamptonshire to protest against the enclosures of Thomas Tresham, pulling down hedges and filling ditches. King James I issued a Proclamation and ordered his Deputy Lieutenants in Northamptonshire to put down the riots. Women and children were part of the protest.

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