Flemish Weavers

Flemish Weavers came to Manchester about 1336. They were religiously persecuted in their own country. They were invited to England by Edward the Third's orders in 1337. Queen Philippa of Hainault came to see them in 1363 and Ford Madox Brown depicts the scene.

The Trial of John Wycliffe

In 1377 John Wycliffe translated the Holy Bible in to English from Latin. He was declared a Heretic by the Church and was tried in Court. John of Gaunt his Benefactor helped to defend him. This was the first time English People were able to read the Bible. John of Gaunt in the Picture is the Man with the Sword.

Weights and Measures

In 1556 There was a Proclamation about Standardisation of Weights and Measure. Before that the people got what the Merchants would Sell Them Including rubbish in with the goods being bought. So this was an important piece of Legislation for Poor People.

Astronomer

Ford Madox Brown painted this Mural of the Astronomer watching the Transit of Venus in 1639. All the Mural's (12 of them) are 10ft 6ins by 4ft 9ins so you can see the huge task that (Brown) had. He painted these when he was well in to his Middle Age.

Chetham's

Sir Humphrey Chetham Manor House was built on high ground near the Banks of The Rivers Irwell and Irk, next to Manchester Cathedral. The house was turned in to School for poor children and then in to a Musical School again for Musically Gifted Children which it still is. The mural says this happened in 1640.

Bradshaw's

Mr John Bradshaw went to School in Stockport and became One of the Most Powerful Men in England. He was in to Government and became a High Court Judge. He was one of the Instigators of getting rid of Charles the 1st. Both him and Oliver Cromwell were in cahoots for a time. He took charge of the Duchy of Lancaster. This Mural of him Saving Manchester is not strictly True.

The Flying Shuttle

A Mr John Kay invented the Flying Shuttle in 1735. Which revolutionised weaving and speeded up the process. Ford Madox Brown got some of the Town Council's Wife's to pose for this picture. Once again he painted in his dog in the painting. The angry crowd out side the windows are protesting that the Shuttle would put the Hand Weavers out of work.