The Swing Riots

Codford, one of its most prominent citizens, James Raxworthy were at the centre of the Captain Swing riots in Wiltshire. The riots, which took place through the autumn of 1830, combined demands for higher wages and tithe reductions with direct action such as the destruction of threshing machines.

A skirmish took place in Codford water meadows on 25 November 1830 between 300 rioters and the local police. The authorities aimed to make arrests. Although no inhabitant of Codford was actually prosecuted for involvement, it is highly likely local people were involved.