Radicals and Loyalists: Hackney in a Revolutionary City, 1789-1815

The outbreak of the French Revolution in the summer of 1789 was at first broadly welcomed in London, especially among the many radicals and dissenters of Stoke Newington and Hackney. But as the events in France became more bloodthirsty, and as apparently dangerous democratic agitations began to trouble the streets of London, an opposing view developed, especially among the property-owning classes of the suburbs, Hackney among them. In early 1793 France declared war on Britain and Holland and the London supporters of revolution quickly came to be seen as potentially treasonable allies of the enemy across the Channel. This led to an organised expression of loyalism, often taking a military tone, which faced outwards (to protect England from invasion) and inwards (to protect London from radical insurgents). Hackney was caught in the middle of this struggle, active radicals and blue-coated loyalists competing for the future of the parish, and of London.