The Goblin Rebellions were a series of rebellions in which the goblin population of the wizarding world has revolted against discrimination and prejudice towards their kind on behalf of wizards and witches. They were most prevalent during the seventeenth and eighteenth cehturies, but even in modern times there are subsersive goblin groups working in secret against the Ministry of Magic, according to the Daily Prophet. The historical rebellions have been described as "bloody and vicious."
One rebellion, in 1612, took place in the vicinity of Hogsmeade Village; the Three Broomsticks Inn was used as the wizards' headquarters for the rebellion.
Today, the goblin rebellions are one of the most important topics Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry students study in History of Magic. For the final exams during their first year, they have to memorize the dates of the goblin rebellions. During his fourth year exams, Ron Weasley could not remember all the names of the goblin rebels and invented some; by luck, he guessed Urg the Unclean's name correctly. In his History of Magic Ordinary Wizarding Level in 1996, Harry Potter skipped question four, which asked whether wand legislation contributed to the goblin riots of the eighteenth century century.
Given the anger expressed by some goblins, such as Griphook, about wizards denying goblins the right to use wands, it may indeed have been a contributing factor to past rebellions.
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Mentioned only)