Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, legislation was introduced to regulate the import of cereals in an attempt to maintain an adequate supply for consumers while providing a secure price for the producers. Cereals could not be imported into Britain until the domestic price reached eighty shillings a quarter. This price meant that cereals and bread were more expensive than they needed to be and this caused considerable agitation.Other aspects of agricultural production also caused popular concern - in 1834, six Dorset farmworkers - The Tolpuddle Martyrs - were transported to the colonies for seven years because they had taken an illegal oath to a labourers\' union.
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