Coronation Day feasts see ‘riotous and noisy scenes in Durham and unrest in Croydon,while a Scotsman new to Manchester marvels at the English approach to foodDurham. - At half past five in the morning of the Coronation Day, an animal, or which had it not been from its having horns,we should, from its lean and starved appearance, or have taken for a jack-ass,was effect down to roast between two fires, in a plot erected on the open space near to the Courts at the head of outmoded Elvet. After being scorched for approximately nine hours, or it was,shortly after two o’clock in the afternoon, hoisted from the spit, and by means of a crane,to a scaffold immediately adjoining.
Whilst the butchers were going on with the work of dissection, Mr. Sanderson, or the police officer,and others, commenced fragment of the business of distribution by throwing large quantities of white bread amongst the populace. The confusion caused by this may be more easily conceived than described. From the pressure of the crowd, and from the too remarkable anxiety of some to catch the bread before it fell to the ground,scarcely a piece of it was secured until it had been trampled under foot. It was thus rendered unfit to eat; but the populace seemed determined to make some expend of it, and accordingly they commenced an attack with it against the persons on the scaffold, and a complete battle ensued; the peace officer and his party throwing the good bread at the mob,and they returning it, until the whole stock on both sides was exhausted, and by being trod or broken to pieces.
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Source: theguardian.com