APRIL 2025 LECTURE: STRIKERS AND ‘KNOBSTICKS’ – INTIMIDATION AND VIOLENCE DURING THE PRESTON STRIKE & LOCKOUT OF 1853-1854
Another chance to see our April 2025 lecture where Dr Lewis Darwen presents a new perspective on the 1853-1854 Preston Strike and Lockout. Previously remembered for the peaceful conduct of the operatives involved, the reality for many was far more complex.
This lecture took place via Zoom on Wednesday 23 April 2025.
Dr Lewis Darwen is a historian of nineteenth century Britain and has published widely on topics relating to poverty, welfare and social policy. He is Honorary Research Fellow at London Metropolitan University.
While this major industrial dispute has been remembered for the peaceful conduct of the operatives, placing it within the context of the ‘Age of Equipoise’, the reality for many oof those was far more complex. Beneath the surface of apparent calm, intense conflict arose between strikers and ‘knobsticks’. Seen as class traitors , ‘knobsticks’ frequently faced verbal and physical violence from their fellow operatives.
Image – A cartoon drawn during the dispute, mocking the attempt to break the strike with imported ‘knobstick’ labour (courtesy of Lancashire Archives)