Complex sentence: The Ely and Littleport riots, also known as the Ely riots or Littleport riots, occurred between 22--24 May 1816 in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, against a background of high unemployment and rising grain costs; not dissimilar to unrest throughout England following the Napoleonic Wars.
Split into simpler sentences: The Ely and Littleport riots, also known as the Ely riots or Littleport riots, occurred between 22--24 May 1816 in Littleport, Cambridgeshire. The riots were caused by high unemployment and rising grain costs, much like the general unrest which spread throughout England following the Napoleonic Wars.