Lecture: Weavers' revolt in Gemert

The Barthold van Heessel Local History Society is holding a lecture on the Gemert weavers' revolt of 1849.

The lecture will be given by Dr Henk Giebels, who published a book in 1999 about this turbulent period in local history. In the years 1840-1850, Western Europe was struggling with profound political and economic crises. Wages fell, food prices rose and famine prevailed in some areas. In many cities, this led to uprisings and revolutions. Gemert, an important town at the time, was also affected. Around a thousand inhabitants lived from the textile industry. In February 1849, discontent erupted into a serious weavers' riot. The riot was eventually suppressed with the help of the military and the military police. The village was then occupied by a division of the Dutch army for two months.

During the lecture, supported by slides, Dr Giebels will discuss these events in detail. The lecture will take place in the Couwenberg in Aarle-Rixtel. Admission is free for members of the local history society; non-members pay a small fee.