The Green at Tolpuddle, where six men swore an 'illegal' oath creating trade unionism, under a sycamore beside the river Piddle


The six men known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs are reputed to have met in 1831 and swore a formal oath thus forming a trade union. This was deemed illegal and they were transported to Australia in penal servitude, though were later pardoned. A cutting has been taken from the older wide girthed tree creating a younger sapling. The original tree has been trimmed in order to keep it healthy and is hoped to live another 200 years.


Size: 5800px × 3867px
Location: Tolpuddle, Dorset, England, UK
Photo credit: © Philip Chapman / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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