Surface coal had been collected from the area around Featherstone Moor since the Middle Ages (and possibly before that) but it wasn’t until the mid 1800’s when deep mine shafts were sunk that the village soon developed into a small mining town.
By the end of the 19th century Featherstone was similar to many of the other pit towns and villages that were spread across the coal rich areas of Yorkshire. There were now two working mines, Featherstone Main owned by John Shaw and Ackton Hall owned by Lord Masham. Over 1000 men, and their families, depended on the pits for their livelihood.
Although the pits were successful and even, in the case of Ackton Hall, in the process of expanding, a downturn in the price of coal caused some mine owners across the country to take drastic action. In July 1893 they decided to stockpile their coal and to ‘lock-out’ their workers. In the days before unemployment benefit and other welfare benefits taking away a man’s job could potentially have serious repercussions. With no income how was a man to feed his family, or pay his rent?
At first the miners felt it wouldn’t be long before they were back at work. But as time passed their patience began to wear thin and crowds of disgruntled workers and their womenfolk began to congregate at the pit gates each day.
