One of the plot lines that encompass my Dragonblade mystery/suspense series is the killing of Spencer Perceval, the UK’s Prime Minister at the time. The assassination and the ultimate trial for John Bellingham who shot Perceval is the background for what was going on during 1812, when the majority of the tales take place. My heroes, as members of a group working for the Home Office, are actively involved in this investigation, though Perceval’s assassination is NOT a major plot point in the stories, but rather the back drop, as if one was watching a play being performed. Lord Aaran Graham, for example, is greatly moved by Bellingham’s “dignity” during the trial. Lord Benjamin Thompson, who has been trained as a surgeon, is in the hall when Perceval is shot and attempts to save the Prime Minister’s life. I have used the shooting as a means of telling my readers something of the “humanity” of each of the five characters.

John Bellingham was tried and executed for the assassination of British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval. Bellingham was swiftly tried at the Old Bailey on 15 May 1812, just four days after the murder. Despite a defense that attempted to claim insanity, he was found guilty and publicly hanged at Newgate Prison on 18 May. 

• The Crime: On 11 May 11 1812, John Bellingham shot and killed Prime Minister Spencer Perceval in the lobby of the House of Commons. 
• Trial:Bellingham’s trial took place on May 15 at the Old Bailey. He did not deny shooting Perceval but argued that his business dealings and imprisonment in Russia, along with the British government’s refusal to grant him compensation, drove him to murder. The defense tried to argue insanity, but the plea was denied. 
• Execution: Bellingham was found guilty and publicly hanged at Newgate Prison on 18 May1812. 
• Speedy Trial: The rapid sequence of events, from murder to execution, was standard for the time in cases with multiple witnesses and when the accused did not request additional time. 
• Bellingham’s Demeanor: During the trial, Bellingham seemed collected and calm, even appearing “serene and careless” at times. He also displayed an articulate defense, which made an insanity verdict unlikely. 
• Impact: Perceval’s assassination, carried out by Bellingham, left a vacuum in British leadership, and the speed of Bellingham’s execution was in stark contrast to the longer-term consequences of Perceval’s death on political and international affairs. 

Supposedly, Bellingham was angry at the lack of assistance he had received from the Government and blamed it for his financial difficulties. Appeals to Perceval and his Ministers met with no success.

Bellingham stood, walked directly to Perceval, and fired point-blank into his chest. The Prime Minister’s last words were reportedly [though we do not know with accuracy], “I am murdered!” The killer sat down and waited for arrest: The trial stunned England.

Spencer Perceval enjoys the unfortunate distinction of being the only British Prime Minister to die at the hands of an assassin. His political career coincided with a period of upheaval created by the French Revolution.

You may read more of the trial on The Proceedings of the Old Bailey.

John Bellingham’s trial and execution were marked by his unusual reactions and the broader public sentiment surrounding his actions. 

At the trial…

• Calm and collected demeanor: Bellingham appeared composed and unperturbed throughout the trial, even displaying moments of serenity and nonchalance.
• Insanity Plea Rejection: While his defense lawyers attempted to argue insanity, Bellingham himself refused it, presenting an articulate and well-reasoned defense, according to the UK Parliament. He maintained he was justified in his actions, arguing he had been wronged by the government and that the Prime Minister’s refusal to address his grievances had forced his hand.
• No personal malice: Bellingham explicitly stated he held no personal malice towards Spencer Perceval, emphasizing that his assassination was a political act meant to draw attention to the government’s perceived injustice.
• Confidence in justification: He remained firm in his belief that his actions were justified, even expressing confidence that a jury of his peers would acquit him if allowed a proper hearing. 

At the execution

• Continued Calmness: Bellingham met his execution with remarkable composure and fortitude. He displayed no fear or remorse for his actions.
• Religious Devotion: He partook in religious sacraments with apparent devotion, demonstrating his familiarity with Church of England practices.
• Sense of Relief: Bellingham expressed relief that his troubles, stemming from his imprisonment and lack of government redress, would finally come to an end.
• Mob Reaction: While a small segment of the crowd at the execution shouted “God bless you!” in a show of sympathy for Bellingham’s motivations, the clergy present did not inform him of this expression of support.
• Defiance to the Last: Bellingham maintained that his actions were warranted, viewing himself as an instrument executing God’s justice due to the government’s perceived inaction. He expressed no contrition for Perceval’s fate. 

Overall

Bellingham’s reactions at his trial and execution were complex. While his defense of insanity was rejected, his steadfast belief in the righteousness of his cause, his composure throughout the ordeal, and his lack of personal animosity towards Perceval suggest a man driven by a singular, obsessive conviction that he had been unjustly treated by the government, and felt compelled to resort to desperate measures to achieve justice. 

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.