The proclamation sparking the Radical War in Glasgow began - On this day in history

The proclamation which would spark the Radical War in Glasgow was issued on 1 April 1820. The uprising was led by the weavers of Glasgow who demanded reform following a period of economic unrest.

Leaders of the uprising placed placards around Glasgow on the evening of 1 April, calling for a national strike, and by 3 April, around 60,000 people had ceased work.

Before the strike could progress, the Radicals were inflitrated by government spies and the ringleaders - Andrew Hardie and John Baird - were executed. Another nineteen men were transported to New South Wales and were finally granted an absolute pardon in 1835.

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The image shows a monument to Hardie and Baird, at the Tolbooth in Stirling - copyright Kim Traynor.