Bristol Riots of 1831

Date: October 29, 1831 • Location: London, United Kingdom

Rioting broke out in Bristol, England, after the Second Reform Bill failed during its passage through Parliament, causing 250 casualties and £300,000 of damage (pictured).

The 1831 Bristol riots took place on 29–31 October 1831 and were part of the 1831 reform riots in England. The riots arose after the second Reform Bill was voted down in the House of Lords, stalling efforts at electoral reform. The arrival of the anti-reform judge Charles Wetherell in the city on 29 October led to a protest, which degenerated into a riot. The civic and military authorities were poorly focused and uncoordinated and lost control of the city. Order was restored on the third day by a combination of a posse comitatus of the city's middle-class citizens and military forces.