On the 16th of August 1819 Manchester was witness to the most dramatic political incident in British history - so says Ed Glinert of New Manchester Walks. 60,000 people met at St Peter's Field, near The Portico Library, to demonstrate for the right to vote and against the unjust laws of the period. The authorities panicked and sent in the military. At least a dozen people were killed and 600 injured in what became known as The Peterloo Massacre. Contemporary members of The Portico Library experienced the heightened atmosphere that day and later testified at the trial of the Yeomanry.

In the lead up to the 200 year anniversary in 2019, Ed Glinert offers an insight into the events on that historic day.

Ed Glinert is the author of Penguin's 'The Manchester Compendium', former staff writer at 'Private Eye', compiler of the forthcoming 'Manchester Encyclopaedia' and Tour Guide with New Manchester Walks.