Feeding Lancashire during the Industrial Revolution c 1780-1850

In his introduction, Mike Winstanley had alerted us that we might some of the answers rather surprising.  Traditionally, we have perhaps been led to believe that bread made with wheat was the staple diet across England.

However, it appears that whilst this may have been true in the Southern counties, it was not possible to grow wheat in Lancashire due to the cold, wet climate.  Traditionally, oats had been grown but most land had since been turned over to grass to raise live stock.

The population of Manchester tripled in the 50 years from 1821 and by analysing surviving records from the workhouses it becomes apparent that oats to make porridge and potatoes to make potage were the main sources of nutrition with a little meat once or twice a week.

This rather disproves Samuel Johnson’s definition in his dictionary ‘Oats – a grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.”

Whilst potatoes were grown in North Cheshire and West Lancashire where were the oats to come from?  Ireland, from where huge quantities were imported, mainly through Liverpool.

Mike generously referred us to two excellent books on the subject, both of which are available online.  The History and Social Influence of the Potato and Feeding the Victorian City