'Belgravia: The Next Chapter’: True story behind Wanstead Flats rally that saved London's Epping Forest
LONDON, ENGLAND: The first seven episodes of 'Belgravia: The Next Chapter' have officially dropped on MGM+, sparking immense enthusiasm among fans who eagerly anticipate more.
‘Belgravia: The Next Chapter’ shifts its focus to the secrets of the Trenchard household rather than the historical period.
However,‘Belgravia: The Next Chapter’ Episode 3 has shown the Wanstead Flats protest, creating a rich tapestry of intrigue and suspense.
Wanstead Flats rally in ‘Belgravia: The Next Chapter’
In ‘Belgravia: The Next Chapter’ Episode 3, Dr Stephen Ellerby (Edward Bluemel) and Annie Harper (Nenda Neururer) are shown returning from the Wanstead Flats rally, presumably after participating in the protest.
The series explores how the aftermath of the Wanstead Flats protest has impacted Dr Stephen Ellerby and his friends.
Dr Stephen Ellerby and Annie Harper's assistance to protesters is connected to a turbulent era in Victorian England when Londoners successfully won a battle against landowners for control of London's largest forest.
True story behind Wanstead Flats riots
In July 1871, a significant event took place on Wanstead Flats, London, where a large crowd destroyed the fences that had been put up around the land.
Historically, Wanstead Flats, the southernmost portion of Epping Forest in Wanstead, were part of the royal forest. However, villagers allowed cattle and other animals to graze freely on the open land, as reported by London Radical Histories.
This practice evolved into a tradition that was eventually acknowledged and formally granted as a right to use the land for common pasture.
The construction of new enclosures in the southernmost part of Epping Forest, ordered by the Lord of Wanstead Manor Earl Cowley, sparked outrage among East Londoners.
This led to thousands of people marching to demonstrate against the enclosures on Wanstead Flats on July 8, 1871, as reported by Layers of London.
The Commons Preservation Society, which later became the Open Spaces Society, had been actively campaigning for years against enclosures around Epping Forest prior to the events of 1871.
The Corporation of London eventually succeeded in its legal battle against the Lords of the Manors, resulting in the 1878 Epping Forest Act.
This legislation appointed the Corporation as the conservators of Epping Forest, ensuring its preservation and protection for future generations, as reported by Epping Town Council.
In ‘Belgravia: The Next Chapter’ Episode 3, tensions escalated at the Wanstead Flats rally, leading to clashes between the police and demonstrators.
The scene highlighted the issue of enclosures, which continued to infringe upon the rights of commoners.
'Belgravia: The Next Chapter' Episode 1-7 are now streaming on MGM+
