Welsh Rebecca Riots - Historum

**Salah** · April 14th, 2012, 06:45 AM

In 1843 the toll charges placed on public roads caused a minor revolt to break out in Wales. Likely history would have completely forgotten this had it not been for the bizarre manner in which the rioters conducted their resistance.

The rebels, predominately Welshmen, formed a secret society. Each of its chapters was headed by a man calling himself 'Rebecca', with those under him styling themselves 'daughters of Rebecca' - some members of this movement even took to cross-dressing.

Inevitably, soldiers were sent into Wales to extinguish this tiny rising. But why on earth did these rebels adopt the image they did, and what is the significance of the name Rebecca?

**Kevinmeath** · April 14th, 2012, 08:54 AM

Supposedly it comes fromThe Bible Genisis 24:60 – “And they blessed Rebekah and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them”

Another version was they wore women’s cloths as a disguise and in the first village to ‘riot’ the only women large enough for men’s to wear her clothes was called Rebecca. Sounds unlikely to me.

Wales at the time was a very religious place. The Tolls were really the last ‘straw that broke the camels back’ and it was really a protest against the ‘injustices’ of the time. This was also the time of the Chartists which saw ‘violent’ rebellion in Newport South Wales. There was also a violent rebellion in Merthyr Tydfil around this time. Both of these were larger and perhaps more violent than some ‘uprisings’ in Ireland of the time but have not received the same attention.

**Louise C** · April 14th, 2012, 08:56 AM

In the fictional film 'Rebecca's Daughters' based on a play by Dylan Thomas, the hero decides that the men should dress as women so they could not be identified and betrayed. He quotes the passage from the Bible mentioned in the comment above.

**Iolo** · April 14th, 2012, 09:11 AM

It grew out of the 'ceffyl pren', the equivalent of 'rough music' and so on in England, for which dressing up was appropriate. Tradition suggests that an actual woman called Becca contributed the first disguise - the OT bit is later decoration, I think. The basic idea is the symbolism of the last shall be first: women lead rebellion. The three movements mentioned were well connected, and my family were in all three, as far as I can make out. The play-acting at the gates was pure ceffyl pren.

**Kevinmeath** · April 14th, 2012, 09:31 AM

Wiki page for the events I mentioned

Merthyr_Rising

Newport_Rising

Rebecca_Riots

Brunel · April 15th, 2012, 09:35 AM

The English need a similar revolt now. I think it's disgusting that the English going into Wales over the Severn Bridge have to pay a toll, whereas the Welsh going into England over the Severn Bridge can do so for free.

**DreamWeaver** · April 15th, 2012, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brunel

The English need a similar revolt now. I think it's disgusting that the English going into Wales over the Severn Bridge have to pay a toll, whereas the Welsh going into England over the Severn Bridge can do so for free.

The M50 is free

Brunel · April 15th, 2012, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamWeaver

The M50 is free

The Severn Bridge (unless you are Welsh).

**DreamWeaver** · April 15th, 2012, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brunel

The Severn Bridge (unless you are Welsh).

Yeah, so take the M50/A40/A48 and avoid either bridge and do it for free

**Louise C** · April 15th, 2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brunel

The English need a similar revolt now. I think it's disgusting that the English going into Wales over the Severn Bridge have to pay a toll, whereas the Welsh going into England over the Severn Bridge can do so for free.

My husband also thinks it unreasonable. He says he wouldn't mind so much paying to get out of Wales, but resents having to pay to get in.