The Luddite Link partnership provides a gateway to information and resources about the Luddite movement in West Yorkshire.
Throughout the bicentenary year (2012) there will be commemorative events by the partners and a developing resource here about the Luddites and Luddism.
Follow the events of 1812 live as they unfolded to readers of The Leeds Mercury:
What is a Luddite?
The term Luddite is often used today to refer to anybody who is stubbornly opposed to new technology. But Luddism was a protest movement of the early 1800s and was much more than a crude attempt to 'uninvent' new machinery.
The act of breaking machines could lead to death on the gallows. Not surprisingly secrecy was paramount. To hide their tracks, the Luddites carried out their crimes in the name of 'Ned Ludd' their semi-mythical leader. Across 1812 there were numerous attacks, big and small, in and around Huddersfield. And then a mill owner was ambushed and murdered. For Luddism in the West Riding this was the beginning of the end...
Hands on History studies
A Rich Partnership
The Luddite Link provides a gateway to a rich range of knowledge, archive materials and historical perspective.
The full list of Luddite Link partners are:
the University of Huddersfield, Kirklees Museums & Galleries, University Archives, West Yorkshire Archive Service, Sheffield Archives, Huddersfield Local Studies Library, Huddersfield Local History Society, Yorkshire Archaeological Society, Mikron Theatre Company, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Mirfield History Society, and the Colne Valley Museum.
Latest News
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Luddites at York Castle
For a report of The Luddites at York Castle,19 Jan 2013, event see blog by Katrina Navickas
Alan Brooke's fascinating talk on theCelebrate the Luddites 200th anniversary
2012 is the 200th anniversary of the Luddites’ uprisings against machinery that was destroying weavers’ livelihoods. Were the Luddites mindless hooligans opposed to progress, or, as EP Thompson suggests,…