AGAINST THE GRAIN: A PROJECT BY RUTH EWAN
Against the Grain is an audio essay exploring the friendship between Thomas Bewick and Thomas Spence who met in 18th century Newcastle. It presents both men as innovative artists; one whose legacy was protected, the other whose ideas were obliterated.
It invites listeners to see Bewick as a political animal and discover the obscured figure of Spence, an essential and provocative voice from the past.
This two-page document maps out the timeline of Bewick and Spence's entangled lives, the revolutionary moments they lived through and their lasting legacies. The notes also list references and production credits for Against the Grain .
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This features a quote from Spence Sing and meet and meet and sing and your chains will drop off like burnt thread. Written in Krusonean, the quote was translated using Spence's phonetic dictionary and written using a typeface created for this project. Spence created the new alphabet and dictionary in 1774 to ease English pronunciation for non-native speakers and for deaf people. This is discussed in more detail in the Against the Grain audio essay.
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Originally by Ed Pickford this song, written as a tribute to Thomas Spence, has been reimagined by Keeley Forsyth and Ross Downes and recorded to accompany Against the Grain.
TOMIS SPENS
Thomas Spence
TOMIS BUIK
Thomas Bewick
Over 60,000 bodies exhumed in London for HS2 development, Spence’s thought to be amongst them
Cherryburn, Bewick’s birthplace is acquired by National Trust
Isabella, Bewick’s daughter dies and the last of his belongings are sold off
Chartists propose a statue of Spence for Newcastle’s Monument
Slavery Abolition Act
Bewick dies
On holiday in Tynemouth, Bewick begins his memoir
The Cato Street Conspiracy
The Peterloo Massacre
Publication of The Fables of Aesop, and others, with designs by Bewick
Spencean clubs and societies outlawed by British Government
Inspired the Spa Fields Riots. Referenced in The Bussa Rebellion of Barbados
Society of Spencean Philanthropists formed
Published Giant Killer or Anti-Landlord. He dies later that year
Abolition of the slave trade
Produces The World Turned Upside Down, a world map with the hemispheres reversed
A History of British Birds, Vol.II Water Birds published
Imprisoned for seditious libel for Restoration of Society , publishes The Trial of Spence before Lord Kenyon
Arrested on suspicion of involvement with United Irishmen, publishes The Constitution of a Perfect Commonwealth
Publishes The Rights of Infants.
His son William dies
Publishes A History of British Birds, Vol. I Land Birds, partnership with Ralph Beilby ends
Publishes The Meridian Sun of Liberty and The Rights of Swine
Haebus Corpus suspended. Spence imprisoned for 7 months on charge of High Treason
Considers emigrating to the United States
Spence opens his shop The Hive of Liberty and republishs The Real Rights of Man. Imprisoned three times that year
Newcastle Literary and Philosophical Society founded
Opens bookstall in Chancery Lane. Imprisoned for seditious libel
Signs the petition for the abolition of the slave trade
Marries Ann Lambole
Publishes A General History of the Quadrupeds. Moves workshop to 16 St Nicholas Churchyard
Moves to London
Marries Isabella Elliott
Begins to cut 199 four-legged animal illustrations for the General History of Quadrupeds
Real Reading Made Easy published featuring On Tenderness to Animals, with illustrations by Bewick
Publishes The Teacher of Common Sense
Partners with Beilby and begins to plan a book on animals. Joins Swarley's Club AKA The Newcastle House of Lords
Returns to Newcastle following 8 months in London
Marries Christian Elliot
Bewick's trip to Scotland, via Haydon Bridge where he spends two days with Spence
Spence and Bewick together sign petition against the outbreak of American Revolutionary War
Publishes The Rights of Man and The Grand Respository of the English Language
Newcastle Corporation propose to close off part of the The Town Moor
Work picked up by children’s book publisher Thomas Saint Newcastle
Thomas Bewick born Cherryburn, Northumberland
Thomas Spence born Quayside, Newcastle