Mark Crail
@markcrail.bsky.social
Chartism and other #C19th stuff. Chartist Ancestors website, author of Tracing Your Labour Movement Ancestors and Chartist Lives, web editor Society for the Study of Labour History. Science fiction reader. https://linktr.ee/markcrail
Pinned
Reposted by Mark Crail
The People’s Charter in red, blue and gold #Chartism #C19th #BritishHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/the-peoples-...
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/the-peoples-...
The People’s Charter in red, blue and gold - chartist ancestors
This version of the People's Charter printed in the 1840s in gold, red and blue text was made to hang on the wall of a public building.
www.chartistancestors.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 2:29 PM
The People’s Charter in red, blue and gold #Chartism #C19th #BritishHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/the-peoples-...
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/the-peoples-...
Reposted by Mark Crail
William Coleman Balls was born in Norwich #OnThisDay 16 January 1790. He was a key member of the City of London Charter Association, but in 1846 he was sent in chains to Norfolk Island, 900 miles off Australia. His is one of dozens of stories in Chartist Lives www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G3Q7PR7Y
January 16, 2026 at 7:41 AM
William Coleman Balls was born in Norwich #OnThisDay 16 January 1790. He was a key member of the City of London Charter Association, but in 1846 he was sent in chains to Norfolk Island, 900 miles off Australia. His is one of dozens of stories in Chartist Lives www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G3Q7PR7Y
William Coleman Balls was born in Norwich #OnThisDay 16 January 1790. He was a key member of the City of London Charter Association, but in 1846 he was sent in chains to Norfolk Island, 900 miles off Australia. His is one of dozens of stories in Chartist Lives www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G3Q7PR7Y
January 16, 2026 at 7:41 AM
William Coleman Balls was born in Norwich #OnThisDay 16 January 1790. He was a key member of the City of London Charter Association, but in 1846 he was sent in chains to Norfolk Island, 900 miles off Australia. His is one of dozens of stories in Chartist Lives www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G3Q7PR7Y
Just realised it is now ten years since I spoke to Stephen Roberts about his memories of the great Chartist historian Dorothy Thompson. Alas, Stephen is now no longer with us, but I think the interview is still of interest www.chartistancestors.co.uk/stephen-robe...
Stephen Roberts on Dorothy Thompson and the Dignity of Chartism - chartist ancestors
Chartist Ancestors interviews Stephen Roberts about Dorothy Thompson and The Dignity of Chartism, a book of her work which he edited
www.chartistancestors.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Just realised it is now ten years since I spoke to Stephen Roberts about his memories of the great Chartist historian Dorothy Thompson. Alas, Stephen is now no longer with us, but I think the interview is still of interest www.chartistancestors.co.uk/stephen-robe...
The People’s Charter in red, blue and gold #Chartism #C19th #BritishHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/the-peoples-...
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/the-peoples-...
The People’s Charter in red, blue and gold - chartist ancestors
This version of the People's Charter printed in the 1840s in gold, red and blue text was made to hang on the wall of a public building.
www.chartistancestors.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 2:29 PM
The People’s Charter in red, blue and gold #Chartism #C19th #BritishHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/the-peoples-...
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/the-peoples-...
Reposted by Mark Crail
A wonderful read! Alongside my particular interest in the long history of Ireland in London, I volunteer in Abney Park Cemetery & so regularly pass James Bronterre O'Brien's grave.
I love this letter written by Victor Hugo apologising for not being able to attend O'Brien's funeral in Abney Park
I love this letter written by Victor Hugo apologising for not being able to attend O'Brien's funeral in Abney Park
January 13, 2026 at 4:23 PM
A wonderful read! Alongside my particular interest in the long history of Ireland in London, I volunteer in Abney Park Cemetery & so regularly pass James Bronterre O'Brien's grave.
I love this letter written by Victor Hugo apologising for not being able to attend O'Brien's funeral in Abney Park
I love this letter written by Victor Hugo apologising for not being able to attend O'Brien's funeral in Abney Park
Reposted by Mark Crail
A wonderful writeup here of the many sons & daughters of Chartists named after the Irish radical journalists, political agitators & Chartist leaders Fergus O'Connor (1796?–1855) and James Bronterre O'Brien (1804-1864) ☘️
Whatever happened to Elizabeth Feargus Bronterre Benbow Chartist Wheeler?
#Chartism #C19th #FamilyHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
#Chartism #C19th #FamilyHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
Chartist children: radical naming practices and a thousand boys and girls called Feargus - chartist ancestors
Chartists often named their children after their Chartist heroes, including Feargus O’Connor, William Lovett, John
www.chartistancestors.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 8:10 AM
A wonderful writeup here of the many sons & daughters of Chartists named after the Irish radical journalists, political agitators & Chartist leaders Fergus O'Connor (1796?–1855) and James Bronterre O'Brien (1804-1864) ☘️
Whatever happened to Elizabeth Feargus Bronterre Benbow Chartist Wheeler?
#Chartism #C19th #FamilyHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
#Chartism #C19th #FamilyHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
Chartist children: radical naming practices and a thousand boys and girls called Feargus - chartist ancestors
Chartists often named their children after their Chartist heroes, including Feargus O’Connor, William Lovett, John
www.chartistancestors.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 7:16 AM
Whatever happened to Elizabeth Feargus Bronterre Benbow Chartist Wheeler?
#Chartism #C19th #FamilyHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
#Chartism #C19th #FamilyHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
A blatant and shameless advert…
Chartist Lives is just £9.99 in paperback, and you can also get it in hardback or as an ebook. Forty-two life stories for less than a tenner
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G3Q7PR7Y
Chartist Lives is just £9.99 in paperback, and you can also get it in hardback or as an ebook. Forty-two life stories for less than a tenner
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G3Q7PR7Y
January 11, 2026 at 11:06 AM
A blatant and shameless advert…
Chartist Lives is just £9.99 in paperback, and you can also get it in hardback or as an ebook. Forty-two life stories for less than a tenner
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G3Q7PR7Y
Chartist Lives is just £9.99 in paperback, and you can also get it in hardback or as an ebook. Forty-two life stories for less than a tenner
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G3Q7PR7Y
I’ve added a new biog to Chartist Ancestors. Hugh Craig had a reputation as a radical in his home town of Kilmarnock and was Ayrshire’s delegate to the First Convention, but he resigned his seat and ended his life a Tory
#C19th #Chartism #BritishPolitics
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/hugh-craig-1...
#C19th #Chartism #BritishPolitics
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/hugh-craig-1...
Hugh Craig, 1795 – 1858 - chartist ancestors
After chairing the opening session of the First Chartist Convention, Hugh Craig found himself at
www.chartistancestors.co.uk
January 11, 2026 at 10:31 AM
I’ve added a new biog to Chartist Ancestors. Hugh Craig had a reputation as a radical in his home town of Kilmarnock and was Ayrshire’s delegate to the First Convention, but he resigned his seat and ended his life a Tory
#C19th #Chartism #BritishPolitics
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/hugh-craig-1...
#C19th #Chartism #BritishPolitics
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/hugh-craig-1...
Reposted by Mark Crail
That's an interesting argument for someone who heads a country on the American continent.
January 10, 2026 at 4:28 PM
That's an interesting argument for someone who heads a country on the American continent.
Reposted by Mark Crail
While we are on the theme of Chartism...
All Chartists Great and Small: three recent books offer insights into the lives of local and national Chartist leaders
sslh.org.uk/2026/01/08/a...
sslh.org.uk/2026/01/08/a...
January 10, 2026 at 10:45 AM
While we are on the theme of Chartism...
Reposted by Mark Crail
Also for U in our #1832AtoZ we have Universal Suffrage, one of the demands of the People's Charter. Find out more here about the response of the House of Commons to the Chartists: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/t...
The People’s Charter and the Victorian Commons
On 8 May 1838 the People’s Charter was first published. To celebrate its 175th anniversary, we consider the initial response of Victorian MPs to the Charter and the ways in which the History of Par…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Also for U in our #1832AtoZ we have Universal Suffrage, one of the demands of the People's Charter. Find out more here about the response of the House of Commons to the Chartists: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/t...
Reposted by Mark Crail
All Chartists Great and Small: three recent books offer insights into the lives of local and national Chartist leaders
sslh.org.uk/2026/01/08/a...
sslh.org.uk/2026/01/08/a...
January 9, 2026 at 7:39 AM
All Chartists Great and Small: three recent books offer insights into the lives of local and national Chartist leaders
sslh.org.uk/2026/01/08/a...
sslh.org.uk/2026/01/08/a...
Reposted by Mark Crail
This is what we call "Facebook weather" because it's too scared to go to London, for zero logical reason.
January 8, 2026 at 5:52 PM
This is what we call "Facebook weather" because it's too scared to go to London, for zero logical reason.
Reposted by Mark Crail
Revisited and rewrote this article which I first posted to Chartist Ancestors back in 2004 #Chartism #C19th #BritishHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
Chartist children: radical naming practices and a thousand boys and girls called Feargus - chartist ancestors
Chartists often named their children after their Chartist heroes, including Feargus O’Connor, William Lovett, John
www.chartistancestors.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Revisited and rewrote this article which I first posted to Chartist Ancestors back in 2004 #Chartism #C19th #BritishHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
This is the spot in Westminster Hall where, in January 1649, England put on trial an over-powerful and autocratic monarch as a prelude to his execution #NoKings
January 8, 2026 at 1:15 PM
This is the spot in Westminster Hall where, in January 1649, England put on trial an over-powerful and autocratic monarch as a prelude to his execution #NoKings
Revisited and rewrote this article which I first posted to Chartist Ancestors back in 2004 #Chartism #C19th #BritishHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
Chartist children: radical naming practices and a thousand boys and girls called Feargus - chartist ancestors
Chartists often named their children after their Chartist heroes, including Feargus O’Connor, William Lovett, John
www.chartistancestors.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Revisited and rewrote this article which I first posted to Chartist Ancestors back in 2004 #Chartism #C19th #BritishHistory
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
www.chartistancestors.co.uk/chartist-chi...
Did the official Big Ben tour at Westminster today. Highly recommend it: get to climb the tower (from the inside, using stairs!), see the mechanism and clock faces, watch the bell strike up close. Excellent, knowledgable guide, too. Only issue is no photos, so here’s one of Westminster Hall.
January 7, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Did the official Big Ben tour at Westminster today. Highly recommend it: get to climb the tower (from the inside, using stairs!), see the mechanism and clock faces, watch the bell strike up close. Excellent, knowledgable guide, too. Only issue is no photos, so here’s one of Westminster Hall.
Does anyone know a way to download multiple results from a search in Ancestry? I’d like to put all these (see screengrab) into a spreadsheet, but the only option seems to be to cut and paste each page.
#FamilyHistory #Genealogy
#FamilyHistory #Genealogy
January 4, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Does anyone know a way to download multiple results from a search in Ancestry? I’d like to put all these (see screengrab) into a spreadsheet, but the only option seems to be to cut and paste each page.
#FamilyHistory #Genealogy
#FamilyHistory #Genealogy
Reposted by Mark Crail
Very much all of this.
The many Brits bashing the capital are very useful idiots for overseas efforts to undermine the country imho.
As I've said before, it's time to push back at the nonsense
The many Brits bashing the capital are very useful idiots for overseas efforts to undermine the country imho.
As I've said before, it's time to push back at the nonsense
What the war against London really is about. V good by @robertshrimsley.bsky.social #Giftlink
And on a different note: A v Happy New Year to everyone!
And on a different note: A v Happy New Year to everyone!
The plot against London
Distorted attacks by the populist right are really about demography
giftarticle.ft.com
January 1, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Very much all of this.
The many Brits bashing the capital are very useful idiots for overseas efforts to undermine the country imho.
As I've said before, it's time to push back at the nonsense
The many Brits bashing the capital are very useful idiots for overseas efforts to undermine the country imho.
As I've said before, it's time to push back at the nonsense
Reposted by Mark Crail
This evening, Big Ben will be getting ready to chime and bring in the #NewYear ! But #DYK a clock tower existed before Big Ben? Find out about 'Old Tom' the first clock tower of the Palace of Westminster 👇 ow.ly/eo2W50LhNEN
Before Big Ben there was Old Tom - The History of Parliament
Legend told that the tower had been funded out of a fine levied on a judge for accepting a bribe. Whether that was so or not, during the reign of Henry VI
ow.ly
December 31, 2025 at 1:30 PM
This evening, Big Ben will be getting ready to chime and bring in the #NewYear ! But #DYK a clock tower existed before Big Ben? Find out about 'Old Tom' the first clock tower of the Palace of Westminster 👇 ow.ly/eo2W50LhNEN
Reposted by Mark Crail
I’m planning to step down as web and social media editor for @sslh.bsky.social after six very rewarding and enjoyable years. If you might be interested in the role, please DM me. sslh.org.uk
Society for the Study of Labour History
Visit the post for more.
sslh.org.uk
December 30, 2025 at 8:00 AM
I’m planning to step down as web and social media editor for @sslh.bsky.social after six very rewarding and enjoyable years. If you might be interested in the role, please DM me. sslh.org.uk
I’m planning to step down as web and social media editor for @sslh.bsky.social after six very rewarding and enjoyable years. If you might be interested in the role, please DM me. sslh.org.uk
Society for the Study of Labour History
Visit the post for more.
sslh.org.uk
December 30, 2025 at 8:00 AM
I’m planning to step down as web and social media editor for @sslh.bsky.social after six very rewarding and enjoyable years. If you might be interested in the role, please DM me. sslh.org.uk
Reposted by Mark Crail
Henry Vincent, Chartist orator and editor of the Western Vindicator, died #OnThisDay 29 December 1878. He was buried at Abney Park Cemetery, on a day that was ‘bitterly cold, the frozen snow lying everywhere upon the grass and paths’. His story is in Chartist Lives www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G3Q7PR7Y
December 29, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Henry Vincent, Chartist orator and editor of the Western Vindicator, died #OnThisDay 29 December 1878. He was buried at Abney Park Cemetery, on a day that was ‘bitterly cold, the frozen snow lying everywhere upon the grass and paths’. His story is in Chartist Lives www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G3Q7PR7Y