I know what you mean, DMcG, and a bit more on the lives of the ordinary folk may have been better. On the other hand, there has been ample depictions of how things were for the lower orders before. What made this for me was how the upper echelons were shown as absolute bastards. They still are, hence the thread title. There were exceptions of course. Henry Hunt being one. One good thing came out of the whole sorry mess. It ruined the political career of William Hulton and paved the way for reformers such as Bright and Cobden.

Sadly we have forgotten the lessons learned then and now have a cabinet full of Hulton's ready to appoint new Joe Nadins to do their bidding. Today's equivalent of Bright and Cobden are demonised by the press and people are still falling for it. I despair at times!