Date: 1831
Description: In 1831, former Member of Parliament for Coventry Richard Edensor Heathcote, was battling to become MP for Stoke-on-Trent.
Heathcote was a Longton-born Liberal politician who was keen to secure equal rights for Britain's Roman Catholics.
Quiz
This notice, signed by a mystery figure named "Quiz," questions his record on a number of issues - and dares him to reveal his true colours.
The notice challenges Heathcote over two issues - the Corn Laws and the Game Laws.
The Corn Laws caused high prices at market for buying bread, by taxing imported corn and protecting the profits of landowners like Heathcote.
The Game Laws made it easy for landowners like Heathcote to prosecute working men who hunted and fished for food while on their land.
The authors demand:
Dare he appeal to his Coventry constituents for a Character, now he offers himself as a Representative for us?
In fact, Heathcote was ultimately elected as MP - but not until 1835.
About this document
This document was kept by pottery manufacturer Enoch Wood and is now amongst the collections at Stoke-on-Trent Museums.
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