Spencer Perceval served as the British Prime Minister from October 4, 1809, until his assassination on May 11, 1812. He was the only British Prime Minister to be assassinated while in office. 

Here’s a more detailed look at his time as Prime Minister:

• Appointment: Perceval was appointed Prime Minister after the Duke of Portland’s resignation. He was also Chancellor of the Exchequer at the time. 
• Key Policies and Actions:
  • He continued Britain’s involvement in the Napoleonic Wars, a major challenge during his premiership. 
  • His government faced economic difficulties due to the war and trade restrictions. 
  • He dealt with social unrest related to industrial changes and the Luddite movement, including making machine-breaking a capital offense. 
• Assassination: Perceval was shot and killed by John Bellingham, an embittered businessman, in the lobby of the House of Commons. 
• Succession: He was succeeded by the Earl of Liverpool. 

In this book of my Dragonblade mystery/suspense series, the reader will hear Spencer Perceval’s name mentioned as part of the those who not only object to the Irish workers in England, but the Prime Minister’s views on Catholics, generally, and, specifically in Ireland. In writing these tales, each of Lord Duncan’s “sons” comment on the assassination of Spencer Perceval, but I leave it to Lord Navan Beaufort, who is an Irish lord and must contend with the Protestant/Catholic arguments in his homeland to mention the treatment of the Irish, as a whole, by the English.

Spencer Perceval held strong anti-Catholic views and policies throughout his political career. 

Here’s a breakdown of his opinions:

• Opposition to Catholic Emancipation: Perceval consistently opposed granting increased rights to Catholics, particularly in Ireland. He contributed to the downfall of Grenville’s government in 1807 due to his opposition to concessions to Catholics.
• Concern about Catholic influence: He expressed concerns about “Catholic pretensions” and Catholic proselytism, perceiving them as a potential threat. In 1800, during a debate, he sounded an alarm about these issues.
• Sectarian views of Irish affairs: Perceval’s perspective on Irish affairs was seen as highly sectarian, according to Lord Redesdale, a contemporary and political hardliner, who attributed the 1798 Rebellion to a “Catholic conspiracy.”
• Defense of the Act of Union (with reservations): While he defended the Union with Ireland, he did not see it as a panacea to curb Catholic demands. 

In essence, Spencer Perceval was a prominent figure in British politics who staunchly opposed the relaxation of laws against Catholics and held deep-seated concerns about their influence, especially in Ireland. His views reflect a period of significant religious and political tension in the United Kingdom. 

Perceval also held strong opinions on the Luddite movement, doing his best to stop the Luddites from making progress in England.

In essence, Spencer Perceval, then Prime Minister of Britain, viewed the Luddites not as a legitimate social movement but as a threat to public order and industrial progress. 

Here’s a breakdown of his stance and actions:

• Authoritarian Approach: Despite earlier displays of a more liberal social policy, Perceval adopted an authoritarian stance towards the Luddites and artisans, as evidenced by his decisions in 1812.
• Abolition of the Statute of Artificers: The repeal of this statute in 1812 further fueled the rage of out-of-work artisans, a key group within the Luddite movement.
• Capital Punishment for Machine-Breaking: Perceval’s most controversial decision was to make machine-breaking, a central Luddite tactic, a capital offense (punishable by death). This decision drew strong criticism from his parliamentary colleagues but highlighted his belief that such acts were a serious threat requiring severe suppression.
• Focus on Repression: Perceval’s government chose to respond to the Luddite movement with harsh measures, including the deployment of military forces to suppress protests and enforce the law, ultimately prioritizing industrial progress over addressing the workers’ grievances.
• Underlying Context: This harsh stance reflected the political climate of the time, marked by wartime concerns (Napoleonic Wars), economic depression, and broader social unrest including the rise of radicalism alongside Luddism. 

In essence, Perceval’s actions reflected a strong desire to maintain social order and protect the industrializing economy, even at the cost of suppressing worker protests through severe and unpopular measures. 

Lyon in Disguise: Lyon’s Den Connected World 

A handsome rake meets his match in a red-headed enchantress who is his enemy!

They may be on different sides of the law, but Lord Navan Beaufort is not going to permit that to stop him from protecting Miss Audrey Moreau. Navan has never thought truly to love anyone, but when he laid eyes on the red-headed beauty, his world shifted. Unfortunately, the lady appears to prefer Lord Alexander Dutton to him, though Navan has rarely had the opportunity to speak to her privately. That is, until he saves her from a fire one miraculous night. From there forward, she is his hope. His future.

Miss Audrey Moreau depends exclusively on her Uncle Jacobi for a home and protection. The man rescued her from a bayman’s plantation in the West Indies when she was five; yet, she well knows the “Marquis of Honfleur’s” schemes. She thought once Jacobi was caught, all would be well, but even from his jail, the man means to rain down harm upon her.

Can two lost souls find happiness together, when everyone in whom they had previously placed their trust have left them alone in the world?

Tropes You’ll Love:

• Enemies to lovers
• Self-declared bachelor
• Friends to lovers
• Adversaries
• Damsel in distress
• Best friend’s sister
• Different worlds/experiences
• Soul mates
• Emotional scars
• Fish out of water

Read in Kindle Unlimited!

Enjoy book one in a new series within The Lyon’s Den Connected world by Regina Jeffers.

Book 1 – Lyon in the Way

Book 2 – Lyon’s Obsession

Book 3 – Lyon in Disguise

Book 4 – Lost in the Lyon’s Garden

Book 5 – Lyon on the Inside

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1V963YZ

Please Note: The price of this book will increase to $3.99 on 11/26/2025.