The Gordon Riots is the name given to a series of demonstrations that took place in London in 1780.

Parliament was debating a bill that would have lessened the restrictions under which Catholics had suffered for many years. Many objected to this and protested against the idea, often violently. The Government had to deploy troops, and this map clearly shows their positions.

The key in the top left hand corner makes it easy to understand what the colours on the map represent. As the number of the patrols around and beyond the built-up part of London show, the threat of disorder was taken very seriously.