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The country's leaders were terrified that they would not be able to control the threat from below. In 1799, they passed the Combination Act, which banned workers from organising themselves into unions. But instead of suppressing the proletariat's challenge to their power, the legislation provoked more fury. During the first decades of the 19th century, the conflict between the rulers and the ruled exploded on numerous occasions.
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One group of workers from Nottingham took matters into their own hands. Early in 1811, the 'Army of Redressers' who claimed to be led by a 'General Ned Ludd' (who probably didn't exist) started breaking into factories and destroying the machines. Their main targets were the new wide frames operated by unskilled workers to produce cheap stockings.
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In three weeks, these 'Luddites' destroyed more than 200 machines, and 400 special constables were sworn in to protect the factories. But the problem spread northwards, and in 1812, the government passed the Frame Breaking Act, which carried the death sentence. The movement only started to diminish after 17 Luddites were executed at York in 1813.
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