Tithe War: Demonstrations, Property Sales, and Bailiffs in the 1930s
Photographs from the Daily Herald Archive tell stories about the Tithe War of the 1930s.
A photographic print of Industry, Agriculture, Tithe War - Demonstrations A photographic print of Industry, Agriculture, Tithe War - DemonstrationsNational Science and Media Museum
In the 1920s and 30s, England slipped into an economic depression. Farmers were among the hardest hit as they paid a 10% tax on their earnings. This tax with medieval roots—called the tithe—provided direct support to the Church of England.
As religiosity waned and the economic crunch on freehold farmers increased, the very existence of the tithe became a source of conflict.
Rallying support
Here, a speaker rallies a crowd of angry farmers to the anti-tithe cause. Their complaints are summarised in rhyming couplets on the wall.
Daily Herald Photograph: Tithe WarNational Science and Media Museum
Burning effigies
Farmers held bonfires where they burned effigies to symbolise their religious dissent. Images of people like Queen Anne, who legislated tithes in 1704, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Anglican church, were popular targets.
Consequences for non-compliance
Distraint sales were the feared consequence for farmers who were unable—or unwilling—to pay the tithe. Bailiffs seized property from farmers—often of higher value—and auctioned it off as payment. These forced payments, as this cartoon depicts, were deeply unpopular.
Farmers resisted property seizures by taking precautions whenever they left their land unattended. They locked and barred their windows and doors so that bailiffs could not easily take furniture or other goods. And this scarecrow sends its own message!
Bailiffs sometimes went to great lengths to collect their payments. In Suffolk, a bailiff and police officers camped out on a field of wheat, waiting for it to ripen so they could seize and sell it on.
Daily Herald Photograph: Tithe WarNational Science and Media Museum
Tithe auctions
Police often escorted the auctioneers responsible for selling the seized goods—they needed protection from angry farmers.
Politics of protest
Resistance to the tithe came from varied corners—including Lady Eve Balfour. A niece of a former prime minister and a pioneer of the Green movement, she studied agriculture at Reading, developed organic farming techniques, co-founded the Soil Association, and managed two farms.
Balfour was among the farmers who gathered at Delvyn’s Farms, Gestingthorpe, to protest the tithe. The group was charged with unlawful assembly and later sent for trial at Castle Hedingham, Essex.
A photographic print of Political, Fascists British Union Only A photographic print of Political, Fascists British Union OnlyNational Science and Media Museum
Fascist support for farmers
In 1932, former member of British parliament Oswald Mosley formed the British Union of Fascists (BUF). Though their popularity was short lived, they initially gained a sizable following by championing opposition to an ‘oppressive ruling class’ through their support of farmers.
This force of 50 men and police officers did more than impound cattle at this Suffolk farm in their convoy of motor lorries. They also arrested 18 BUF members who were guarding the farm.
Daily Herald Photograph: British Union of Fascists join Tithe WarNational Science and Media Museum
Protesting the proposed Tithe Act, 24 June 1936
Thousands of farmers, supported by their families, travelled to London from all parts of the country to protest the 1936 Tithe Bill. Sixteen special trains, coaches, and even farm carts brought farmers and workers from many English Counties to London.
The march to Hyde Park
Protesters marched from the Victoria Embankment to a demonstration in Hyde Park.
Some farmers dressed for the occasion, like this West Country contingent having a friendly chat with a police officer while dressed in Cromwellian costumes.
Some demonstrators opted for simpler attire. This protester wears a wheatsheaf hat with a message. Others simply held placards to voice their complaints.
Daily Herald Photograph: Tithe WarNational Science and Media Museum
Deputation to Parliament
Farmers listened to speeches in Hyde Park. Then a deputation continued their journey, trying to take their demands for the withdrawal of the Tithe Bill direct to PM Stanley Baldwin at the House of Commons.
The Tithe Act of 1936 passes, 31 July 1936
The controversial legislation abolished the tithe and put in place measures to restructure land taxes over the next 60 years. Farmers instead paid a tax to the Government. Government, in turn, resurveyed and mapped the affected lands, and compensated former tithe recipients.
All images are from the Science Museum Group collection. Copyright Mirrorpix, Hulton Archive/Getty Images, and TopFoto.
