radical history

blackheath

The Guardian are asking for their readers’ help:

This summer, we want to commemorate a broader heritage by listing all the radical sites of Britain which are being sold short by their councils or communities. Alongside the villages of Restoration, we want to tell another story of British history and, in the process, make sure we preserve and popularise our enervating, explosive, uncomfortable past.

My immediate thought is Blackheath, though whether it is being sold short is a moot point.  Here’s Wikipedia’s take:

Settled by Romans as a stopping point on Watling Street, Blackheath was also a rallying point for Wat Tyler‘s Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, and for Jack Cade‘s Kentish rebellion in 1450. Wat Tyler is remembered by Wat Tyler Road on Blackheath Common. After pitching camp on Blackheath, Cornish rebels were defeated in the Battle of Deptford Bridge (sometimes called the Battle of Blackheath), just to the west, on 17 June 1497. With Watling Street crossing the heath carrying stagecoaches en route to north Kent and the Channel ports, it was also a notorious haunt of highwaymen during the 17th century. Many years later, Blackheath also had strong associations with the campaign for women’s suffrage, the suffragette movement.

(via Developing News)

About Andrew Brown

I live in Lewisham, South East London, and spent 9 years as a Labour councillor in the borough between 1997 and 2006.
This entry was posted in Lewisham. Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to radical history

  1. Lone Ranger says:

    I don’t think Blackheath is sold short, by the way wasn’t much of its wealth from the slave trade.

    Deptford has been sold short over the years.

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