Light Cavalry Officer's sword, Pattern 1788, 1791 (c)

Made by James Woolley and Company, Birmingham, 1791. Etched on blade: 'Joh. Polhill XV Cohortis Equestris Ductori Bene Merent Birminghamia Inscendio Liberata Hoc Munisculum Libens Donauit DCCXCI'.

This sword was presented to Captain John Polhill by the Birmingham civic authorities after he led a detachment of the 15th (The King's) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons in suppressing the Priestley Riots of July 1791. Rioters targeted religious and political dissenters, including Joseph Priestly, accusing them of supporting the French Revolution.