Spencer Perceval, the British Prime Minister, was assassinated on May 11, 1812, about 5:15 P.M., by John Bellingham in the lobby of the House of Commons. Bellingham, a Liverpool merchant with grievances against the government for failing to compensate him for losses in Russia, shot Perceval at point-blank range in the chest. Perceval’s last words were reportedly “I am murdered!”. Bellingham made no attempt to flee and was quickly arrested. He was tried, convicted, and executed by hanging at Newgate Prison a week later.
- The Assassin: John Bellingham, a merchant who felt wronged by the British government’s handling of his business affairs in Russia. He had previously petitioned for compensation for his losses, which were related to his imprisonment in Russia and his inability to manage his affairs upon his return.
- The Motive: Bellingham believed that assassinating a high-ranking government official would draw attention to his grievances and force the government to address them, according to The History Press.
- The Attack: On May 11, 1812, as Perceval entered the House of Commons lobby, Bellingham approached him and fired a single shot from a pistol, hitting Perceval in the chest.
- The Aftermath: Perceval was carried into an adjoining room but was already unconscious and died shortly after. Bellingham made no attempt to escape and was quickly apprehended.
- Trial and Execution: Bellingham’s trial took place at the Old Bailey, where his plea of insanity was rejected, and he was found guilty. He was hanged at Newgate Prison on May 18, one week after the assassination.
- Consequences: Perceval remains the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated. His death led to a change in government, with Lord Liverpool taking over as Prime Minister and some of Perceval’s policies being reversed.
Perceval was not the most well-liked Prime Minister, but his lack of popularity did not cause the attack by Bellingham. Said to be highly religious, Perceval aligned himself with evangelicalism. He trained at Lincoln’s Inn to be a barrister and was called to the bar in 1786. With the help of his wealthy family, he acquired a lucrative practice. He married Jane Wilson and 1790, and they had 12 children (6 boys and 6 girls).
Perceval’s extreme conservative policies had him the “enemy” of many. He served under Will Pitt’s government, speaking out again “radical” ideas. In 1796, he refused the post of Chief Secretary for Ireland. He was not popular with the Irish Catholics. Spencer Perceval, as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Ireland, generally opposed concessions to Catholics, particularly in Ireland, and his stance contributed to the political climate surrounding the issue. He was a strong opponent of Catholic emancipation and played a role in the fall of governments that attempted to introduce such measures. While he supported the Act of Union with Ireland, he didn’t view it as a solution to Catholic issues.
Lyon’s Obsession: The Lyon’s Den Connected World
Short on temper. Long on pride. True to his word.
Lady Theodora Duncan, daughter and only child of Lord Macdonald Duncan, reluctantly embarks on a London season in hopes of making a suitable match. She had always thought she would marry Lord Alexander Dutton, 12th Earl Marksman. After all, they had been raised together in her father’s house since Duncan became Marksman’s guardian when his lordship was but twelve. Her father’s estate marches along with Marksman’s, and they had shared multiple words of devotion, as well as stolen moments and heated kisses. Yet…
Lord Alexander Dutton always planned to marry Lady Theodora Duncan, but not until he finds his family. His father, long before Robert Dutton became the heir to the Marksman’s peerage, had sold Alexander’s mother and younger sister to the captain of a sailing ship. Alexander has searched for them for some ten years, spending thousands of the Marksman fortune in his desire to reclaim them. He cannot think truly to know happiness until he can share his title and his wealth with them. Assuredly, Theodora understands why he has not made an offer of marriage. Yet, if she does, then why does he constantly find her on the arm of a Sardinian count? He never expected Theodora’s abandonment, but Alexander is finally so close to knowing his real family again.
Must he risk one dream to know another?
Tropes you’ll love:
✔️ Friends to lovers
✔️ Soul mates
✔️ Secret identity
✔️ Fish out of water
✔️ Unrequited love
✔️ Dark secret
✔️ Emotional scars
✔️ Marriage pact
✔️ Innocent cohabitation
✔️ Love interest vs. Missing family
✔️ Honorable marriage
✔️ Marriage pact
✔️ Emotional scars
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Every Woman Dreams... 