The Captain Swing Riots in Hampshire in November 1830 led to the incarceration in the Gaol in Jewry Street, Winchester of around 300 men. Our show will look at their experience of imprisonment and impact on their families as they faced catastrophe.

The Captain Swing Riots in Hampshire in November 1830 ended effectively with 300 men from all over the county imprisoned and facing charges of riotous assembly, machine breaking, incendiarism, assault and various other crimes. They would undergo trial at the Grand Assize in the Great Hall at Christmastime. For this year’s HODS show the SWING Bicentenary Commemoration team will examine the experience of prison for the SWING rioters; reflect on their punishment via transportation; and consider the other people affected including family members and the clergy. It will be especially poignant given that the venue – the United Church – lies within the precincts of the gaol where the SWING rioters were held in 1830/1831. Included in the programme will be ‘The Women Left Behind’ by Christine Lawrence, focusing on three women as they watch the ships leave Portsmouth, taking their menfolk  on the long, dangerous journey  to Australia. They  reflect on what has happened, consider their future lives  and wonder how  they  can survive. Meanwhile new poetry by Georgia Hilton (an established ‘Swing Poet’) will consider the rioters’ experience of their loss of freedom and address the architecture of oppression as embodied by Winchester gaol. Also included will be reports on local SWING research by Penny Munday from Havant; an account of the role of the clergy in SWING by Martin Coppen while Professor Christopher Mulvey will talk prison lingo plus a SWING folk song 'The Owslebury Lads'.

Timings & Tours 

Saturday 13 September: 11am - 12:30am

Location & directions 

Directions: The United Church is on the west side of Jewry Street, one of the principal thoroughfares in the city centre and just two minutes from the High Street.

Contact on day: Edward Fennell

Telephone number: +447857929937

Booking information 

Pre-booking requirement: Pre-booking preferred

Booking conditions: Please book through Hampshire History Trust

Booking opens: 08 Aug 2025 12:00 AM

Booking closes: 10 Sep 2025 10:00 AM

Max no of people per tour: 100

Est. tour duration: 1 hours 30 minutes

Accessibility Details

The Captain Swing performance space is upstairs from the main entrance. However, there is wheelchair access from the rear of the building via Staple Gardens off the High Street. Please contact us in advance if you are likely to require this.

Additional Information

The audience may be encouraged to join in the singing of The Owslebury Lads, a traditional Hampshire folk song linked to the SWING Riots.