The subject of today’s historical feature concerned the story of a true rabble rouser of old.

She was known as Capt. Ann Carter.

Ann Barrington, had married butcher, John Carter in December 1620.

After a series of poor harvests grain prices shot up, not helped by a decision to export grain to Europe, resulting in a local shortage.

Unsurprisingly feelings were roused and in March 1629 a large group of women, led by Ann Carter, marched to the wharf, and forced the sailors to unload grain into the women’s aprons and caps, which they could distribute to their friends and families.

Amazingly the authorities were fairly restrained and quietly arranged a collection to ensure grain could be distributed at a fair price to the locals. Unfortunately a wider issue was brewing affecting food prices over a much wider area of the county so Ann decided to gather the support of several hundred unemployed clothworkers resulting that May in her leading a mob of 2-300 people who got away with 4 tons of grain, prevented the ship from leaving and ransacking houses and warehouses.

This time action was swift and Capt Ann Carter and 3 men were hanged, Ann being hanged by virtue of giving herself the title of captain.

Listen again here to Margaret’s report on this episode:-

See you again next week,
Scott