Child Labour Builds the British Empire [15min]

Most accounts of British slaving date from the 16th century with the Mshipping Africans to the Spanish Main. But less discussed is what happened to English and Scots eight, nine and ten year-olds in places like Aberdeen, London and Bristol. Many from those places were sold for forced labour in the colonies. "This Sceptred Isle: Empire" is a narrative history of the British Empire from Ireland in the 12th century to the independence of India in the 20th, told in 90 programmes written by historian Christopher Lee and narrated by actor Juliet Stevenson. (You may listen again online to up to five most recent episodes of "Empire".)

London gangs would capture youngsters, put them in the hold of a ship moored in the Thames and when the hold was full, set sail for America. Many authorities encouraged the trade. In the early 17th century authorities wanted rid of the waifs, strays, young thieves and vandals in their towns and cities. The British were starting to settle in Virginia. So that's where the children went.

This was a time when it was common enough in Britain to have small children as cheap, or unpaid labour. In 1618 one hundred children were officially were transported to Virginia. So pleased were the planters with the young labour that the then Lord Mayor, Sir William Cockayne, received an immediate order from the colony to send another ship load.

The Privy Council endorsed the idea: "...We are informed that the City of London by Act of Common Council have appointed one hundred children out of the multitudes that swarm in that place to be sent to Virginia there to be bound apprentice with very beneficial conditions for them afterwards... and have yielded to a levy of £500 for the apparelling of these children and the charge of their transportation. Whereas the City deserves thanks and commendation for redeeming so many poor souls from misery and ruin and putting them in a condition of use and service to the State... Among their number there are divers unwilling to be carried thither and the City want authority to deliver and the Virginia Company to receive and carry out these persons against their will… We authorise and require the City to take charge of that service to transport to Virginia all and every the aforesaid children. And if any child disobey or are obstinate we authorise the imprisonment, punishment and disposal of them; and so to ship them out to Virginia with as much expedition as may stand convenience..."