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Historical background to the Riot
Programme of Events: 19th June 2004
Project Team
What was the Militia?
Recreating the Hexham Riot of 1761
Hexham Riot Song
Hexham Riot workshops for Schools
Creative Writing
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What was the Militia?
Location: Northumberland
What was the militia for?
How as the militia recruited?
What did the militia do?
Throughout the 18th century, Great Britain was involved in a succession of wars against the French.
Traditionally, the part-time soldiers of the county militia provided the defence of the home country in time of emergency, but the force had not been mobilised since the Civil Wars a century earlier.
In 1757, the increased threat of French invasion led to the introduction of the Militia Act, which required parish constables to compile lists of all males aged between 18 and 50 (reduced to 45 in 1762). From these lists, the necessary number of names would be drawn by ballot to select those who liable for service in the militia.
The militia lists provide modern historians with a fascinating glimpse of the social composition of communities in mid-18th century England, as they record not only the names but also the occupations of the male population.
It was possible to opt out of the militia by paying for a substitute, which meant that the rank and file generally comprised the poorest men who could not afford to buy their way out of the system. The officers were commissioned from the gentry and the “better sort” in the County. A number of classes and occupations were exempt from militia service including peers of the Realm, clergymen, parish constables, licensed teachers, apprentices and seamen.
Organised on a county basis, the militia came under the authority of the Lord Lieutenant and his deputies. 560 men were required for the militia in Northumberland.
A major in command of a company of militia was paid 15s (equivalent to at least £105 today), a captain 10s, a lieutenant 4s 8d, a sergeant 1s, a corporal or drummer 8d, and a private 6d per day (equivalent to about £35 in 2004).
The militia were uniformed and equipped in similar fashion to the regular army, and had to attend a minimum of 20 days annual training for three years. When deployed on service for substantial periods of time under competent officers and nco’s, their drill and military conduct could sometimes approach the standard of professional soldiers.
The militia could not be compelled to serve overseas, but they were often deployed in distant parts of Great Britain and in Ireland, being used to aid the civil authorities in the days before the establishment of civilian police forces.
In carrying out these roles, the militia often saw action and suffered casualties in engagements with rioters or more organised groups of dissidents. Occasionally whole companies of militia volunteered to serve abroad, forming new battalions in the regular army.
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