The Gordon Riots of 1780 were the most devastating outbreak of urban violence in British history.
For almost a week, large parts of central London were ablaze, prisons were destroyed and the Bank of England attacked. Hundreds of rioters were shot dead by troops and for many observers it seemed that England was on the verge of a revolution. The instigator of the riots was one Lord George Gordon who subsequently converted to Judaism.
Come along and find out about this intriguing episode in our history.
Jill Stern graduated with first class honours in History from King’s College London. Much of her working life was spent as a teacher at Wycombe Abbey School. Returning to academic study she gained an MA (Distinction) and a doctorate in seventeenth century Dutch history at University College London. As a doctoral student she was awarded the prestigious Pollard Prize for History. She has a book and many published articles to her credit. She has lectured in Britain, the Netherlands and New York. History is her lifelong passion and she is keen to share that passion.
