1882 was a time of tension in Britain over the activities of Fenians, radical supporters of Irish self determination. In early May, Frederick Cavendish, the second son of the Duke of Devonshire and the recently appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland, was stabbed to death in Dublin. In the following months our local newspapers were full of stories about Ireland and the activities of Irish radicals: murders, arson, and at least one case in which a young woman had her plaited hair cut off.
It was in this atmosphere that the Prince of Wales paid a visit to Bradford. There were bound to be fireworks ...
Here's a news clipping from the West Yorkshire Pioneer, dated 8th July 1882.
A description of these events was published in the November 2004 issue of St. Andrew's magazine, The Bridge, in an article by Michael Baumber.
First posted: 31st May 2014