In 1834, six Dorset farm labourers were arrested and sentenced to seven years transportation to Australia. Their crime? To set up a 'friendly society' to bargain for better wages and escape appalling poverty. This book follows the story of the youngest 'Martyr', James Brine, from his boyhood in Tolpuddle, to the terrors of convict life in Australia, and the triumphant return to England after public outcry forced the sentences to be quashed, and the 'Tolpuddle Martyrs' became popular heroes. It also introduces colourful characters such as James Frampton, the ruthless landowner who framed the Martyrs, and the mythical superhero, Captain Swing, who inspired poverty riots across England.

 

This book is part of a book series called Literary Nonfiction .

There are 128 pages in this book. This book was published 2002 by Hachette Children's Group .

Alan Brown is an established children's author. He is also active in community publishing and has had numerous poems and stories published in local magazines, performed on tape and broadcast on radio.