Filters:
Group: Swabian League of Cities
People: Raigama Bandara
Topic: Dozsa's Rebellion (Hungarian Peasants' Revolt)

The Riots damage the reputation of Britain …

Years: 1780 - 1780
June
The Riots damage the reputation of Britain across Europe, where many see British constitutional monarchy as an inherently unstable form of government.

This comes at a time when Britain is searching for allies, particularly Catholic Austria, in the American War of Independence to challenge the strong coalition the French have built.

After hearing of the riots, the Spanish government breaks off peace negotiations with Britain, believing that the disorder will lead to a widespread collapse of Britain and wishing to take advantage of it.

The riots highlight the problems Britain faces by not deploying a professional police force, a notion which is opposed as it is considered foreign and absolutist.

The Earl of Shelburne had shocked many the day after the riots broke out by proposing in parliament that Britain should consider forming a force modeled on the French police.

The riots destroy the popularity of radical politician John Wilkes, who led troops against the rioters.

Many of his followers see this as a betrayal; some of them may have been among the rioters.

A pamphlet and a book of poems defending the role of Gordon are written and published by the polemicist and hymn-writer Maria De Fleury.

The events at the Bank of England start a tradition where a detachment of soldiers, usually from the Brigade of Guards marches to the bank to perform security duties.

Until 1963 the duty will be performed by the Guards in Home Service Dress with bearskin, though tennis shoes are worn inside the bank.

On March 31, 1973 the detachment will become more functional than ceremonial, doing their duties in service dress with automatic weapons.