the Tolpuddle Martyrs
/ðə ˌtɒlpʌdl ˈmɑːtəz/
/ðə ˌtəʊlpʌdl ˈmɑːrtərz/
- the name given to six farm workers from the village of Tolpuddle in Dorset, England, when they were found guilty in 1834 of illegal trade union activity. They were punished by being sent to Australia for seven years. There were many protests about this, and in 1836 the decision was changed and they were brought back to England as free men.