Martyrs' Cottages facts for kids

The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of six farm workers from Tolpuddle, a village in Dorset, England. In 1834, they were punished for forming a friendly society, which was an early type of trade union. They wanted to get fair wages for their hard work. These brave men are remembered for their fight for workers' rights, and several cottages are connected to their story. Most of these cottages are in Tolpuddle, but one important one is in Essex.

The building which includes the cottage of Thomas Standfield where the martyrs met.

The martyrs often held their secret meetings in the home of Thomas Standfield in Tolpuddle. This cottage, along with the one next to it, was built around the 1700s. They are made from a mix of cob (a natural building material like clay and straw) and brick, covered with plaster. These buildings are so important that they were officially protected in 1956 as "Grade I listed buildings." This means they are of exceptional historical interest and must be preserved. Today, these two cottages have been joined together to form one larger home.

Cottages Built to Remember Them

The six cottages built by the TUC for the centenary

In 1934, exactly 100 years after the martyrs' punishment, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) built a row of six new cottages in Tolpuddle. The TUC is a large group that supports workers' rights in the UK. Each of these new cottages was named after one of the six martyrs. They were built to provide homes for elderly or sick farm workers. In the past, many farm workers lived in "tied cottages," which meant their home was provided by their employer. If they retired or became ill, they could be forced to leave their home. These new cottages aimed to prevent that.

Over time, a small library for the residents grew into a museum. This museum now tells the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the history of trade unions. In recent years, there have been some discussions about how these cottages are used, but their main purpose remains to honor the martyrs' legacy.

Homes After Their Return

Tudor Cottage in Greensted

After being sent away, three of the martyrs – George Loveless, James Loveless, and James Brine – were eventually forgiven and returned to England. From 1838 to 1844, they lived in a cottage in Greensted, Essex. This cottage is very old, with parts of it dating back to the 1300s and the main building from the 1500s. Like the cottages in Tolpuddle, this one is also a protected building, listed as Grade II since 1984. It is known as the "Blackstock and Tudor Cottage."

There is an annual march through Tolpuddle to commemorate the martyrs which goes past new thatched cottages which are still being built there.