The riot broke out on 18 October 1766 after some Lincolnshire merchants purchased a large quantity of cheese with the intention of selling it in their county.[1][3] They were then surrounded by a group of "rude lads" who demanded they not take away the cheese and instead share it out in Nottingham.[3][4] Violence broke out and there was widespread looting of cheese; shop windows were broken and hundreds of cheese wheels were thrown and rolled down the streets including Wheeler Gate and Peck Lane.[7][1][6] The mayor of Nottingham attempted to restore order but was knocked over by a rolling cheese.[8][6]