The Gordon Riots

By J Paul de Castro

"The Gordon Riots" offers a comprehensive and scholarly examination of the violent anti-Catholic disturbances that swept through London in June 1780. Written by J. Paul De Castro, this historical work meticulously reconstructs the events following the passage of the Papists Act of 1778 and the subsequent agitation led by Lord George Gordon and the Protestant Association. What began as a massive petition to Parliament rapidly escalated into a week of unprecedented anarchy, characterized by widespread arson, the destruction of prisons, and targeted attacks on both private residences and public institutions.

The study provides an in-depth analysis of the social, political, and religious undercurrents that fueled the mob's fury during one of the most significant periods of lawlessness in English history. De Castro explores the roles of the government, the military, and the judiciary in the desperate struggle to restore order to a city on the brink of total collapse. By drawing upon a wealth of contemporary accounts and legal records, the author presents a vivid and authoritative portrayal of a pivotal moment in the Georgian era. "The Gordon Riots" remains an essential resource for students and historians interested in 18th-century urban life and the volatile intersection of religious sentiment and political radicalism.

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025685040
• ISBN13: 9781025685045
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.2"