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5 unusual facts about Joseph Arch


Arthur Clayden

Clayden early identified himself with the agricultural labourers' movement, becoming a member of the consultative committee of the National Agricultural Labourers' Union, under the presidency of Joseph Arch.

Joseph Arch

Joseph Arch (10 November 1826 – 12 February 1919) was an English politician, born in Barford, Warwickshire who played a key role in what Karl Marx called the "Great awakening" of the agricultural workers in 1872.

The first spark of resistance came from a brave band of agricultural workers at Weston under Wetherley, who wrote a letter to the local newspaper, setting forth their small earnings and suggesting that farm labourers' pay be raised to at least two shillings and sixpence a day.

Expecting fewer than thirty in the Stag's Head public house in Wellesbourne, Arch found on his arrival that there were over 2,000 agricultural labourers present to hear him speak, on a dark, wet, winter night, the labourers holding flickering lanterns on bean poles to illuminate the proceedings.

Lord Henry Cavendish-Bentinck

He entered Parliament for Norfolk North-West in 1886, defeating Joseph Arch, a seat he lost in 1892, when Arch reclaimed the seat.



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