Last came Anarchy: He rode
On white Horse, splashed with blood:
He was pale even to the lips:
Like Death in the Apocalypse.
(Percy Bysshe Shelley – The Masque of Anarchy).
When I undertook this challenge, I considered writing a blog post for each. I love writing and reading, so it felt like it would enhance my experiences even more to write about them too. Not that I would expect them to gain much in terms of viewership, but even if it is just something for me to look back on and reflect on my experiences. I mention this point because, as much as I like to write about things, it is certainly challenging to write about things like monuments and memorials when they do not involve as immersive an experience as some of the other entries on this challenge (like the Gaskell House on the previous post). Luckily, there is enough background to the Peterloo Memorial to be able to create enough for a post (I hope). I mention this now because it highlights challenges I will face in attempting to write to something about each of these entries. (I’m looking at you, Minut Men & the bloody Vimto bottle!). The Peterloo Memorial is situated very centrally. Take a tram to St. Peters Square and you are only a few moments’ walk to it. I used to take the tram into work from Old Trafford, so if you pass that way, you can see this memorial from the tram. Although I would recommend hopping off and going to see it in person.
I did this as my second endeavour on the book, and there was no real motivation behind this choice other than, I knew where it was and how to get there. At this early stage of the challenge, it was easy to pick off things to visit but this does get harder later. Whilst I knew what this was, I had never gone to visit it properly and appreciate the intricate desings or to really appreciate what it stood for. That is one thing I am thankful for when tackling this list is that I get to really experience these places.
It was a Sunday that I visited. I mention this because if you go on a Saturday, it will be heaving with crowds of tourists standing all over the monument, impeding any potential Instagram opportunities! Even on a Sunday, I was lucky to have it to myself, momentarily. When I got there, there was a group of people on every step, taking photos of the monument and themselves on each step of the monument. I sat patiently on a bench nearby and read until they left. This one does often have people on it or at least big crowds around it. Like I mentioned, it is very central. Even when I went by on the tram during the week, there were often people there. (Get a job!) (Just kidding!…) As much as I cast aspersions on the Minut Men earlier, I did not have this problem there.
I am no connoisseur when it comes to anything relating to design or architecture, or anything artsy at all, really. But I do think this memorial is very nicely designed. From a distance (like the tram), it looks like a round circle of steps leading nowhere in particular, but when you stand on it in person, there are various patterns and icons on each step. Interlocking hands, hearts, names of different places and people, etc. Variety of different colours happening here too, so it is a lot more pleasing to the eye up close.
It does feel like a good experience, standing on top of it and looking at the patterns across each step, and taking a photo of yourself on top. So, I can’t judge too harshly the people who made me wait my turn. (Was annoying though, move.)
From the book, you’ll learn that the monument was designed by a Turner Prize winner, Jeremy Deller. The names that are inscribed on the monument are the names of people who were involved in the massacre and the towns from which they came. The top of the monument also references other state attacks, like Bloody Sunday. The memorial has been created using different stones from across the country, with the colours being reminiscent of the demand for social reform. (Treuherz, J. and Figueiredo, P). Interesting facts I had not known before doing this challenge! (I do not claim to be an expert on these topics, though, i wonder if this is well known).
The Peterloo Massacre
The Peterloo Massacre occurred over 200 years ago, resulting in approximately 18 deaths and at least 650 injuries. (Cathain, M. 2019). The event took place in St Peter’s Square and reportedly involved over 60,000 protestors, fighting for liberty and freedom from poverty. (The Peterloo Memorial Campaign. Undated). The protest was intended to be peaceful with no weapons. There were masses of people with flags and different banners, with speakers that were eagerly awaited by the crowds. After a couple of hours of observing the scenes, overlooking magistrates ordered law enforcers to intervene, and the crowd were charged at by these men on horseback. (Hirsch, S. Undated). The event has a lower death toll than other “massacres” at the time, but is notorious since the event was a peaceful one, and it was deemed that the Yeomanry who attacked the crowds did so with enthusiasm. (Poole, R. 2019).
The Peterloo Massacre also crops up in other entries on this list. For example, the People’s History Museum (Listed as Banners of the People in the book) also cited above. The memorial could benefit from some more information around it. Some more placards with a few more details on the history on the event. I am yet to look into this, but I am sure there are probably tours in Manchester that include this memorial in their events. It is a very big part of Manchester’s history and easily accessible, so I would be surprised if this was not something that could be found easily. It was not something I had considered when I ticked this one off the list, but if I do find one and go back to it, I could also revise the post if I learn something more interesting!
The monuments became a struggle later for me. I am not a history buff. By far, one of my least favourite subjects when I was at school. I have an innate ability to remember useless facts, but trying to remember dates is impossible for me unless it has been drilled into me. Fine, I remember the Titanic sank in 1912! Moon landing – 1969! London 2012 Olympics, 2012! Mother’s Birthday, erm, May something..
Peterloo Memorial is an interesting one. The history is big to Manchester, and the structure itself is visually cool with nice designs on it. It is easy enough to get to and would not consume much time if you were on a short trip. It is an unusual experience to stand in the same square where the massacre took place 206 years ago (or 93 years before the Titanic sank). St Peter’s Square is still the main point where protests take place. But if protesting is not your thing, there is a Wagamama’s and a Starbucks you can enjoy instead.
There are some more challenging monuments on this list and some other interesting ones! No spoilers yet. But Peterloo was a solid one to start with. I do prefer entries on the list, like the Gaskell House I started with, that involve more of an experience, but I think this one deserves its spot.
Peterloo Memorial – Overall rating – POSITIVE – Should see.
References
Cathain, M. (2019). “Peterloo – An Irish Tragedy?” History Ireland. Vol 27 (4). Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26853083?read-now=1&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents Last accessed 02/11/2025.
Hirsch, S. (Undated). “Protest and Peterloo: The Story of August 1819.” People’s History Museum. Available at: https://phm.org.uk/protest-and-peterloo-the-story-of-16-august-1819/ Last accessed 01/11/2025.
The Peterloo Memorial Campaign. (Undated). Available at: https://www.peterloomassacre.org/history.html (Accessed 01/11/2025).
Poole, R. (2019). Peterloo: The English Uprising. Oxford University Press.
Treuherz, J and Figueiredo, P. 111 Places in Manchester That you Shouldn’t Miss. 4th Edition.
111 Places to Visit in Manchester Challenge 
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