 Economic conditions in 1817 led to a group who became known as Blanketeers to organise a march from Manchester to London so they could petition the Prince Regent for parliamentary reform . A crowd of 25 @,@ 000 including 5 @,@ 000 men who intended to march gathered in St Peter 's Fields . After the magistrates read the Riot Act , the crowd was dispersed by the King 's Dragoon Guards . The ringleaders were arrested and subsequently released when serious charges against them were not forthcoming . In April 1819 three leading Blanketeers were convicted of sedition and conspiracy when witnesses alleged they had advocated the principal towns of the kingdom should elect representatives to a National Convention to demand their rights and if refused enforce them ' sword in hand ' during a meeting in Stockport in September 1818 . 
