Europe, British Isles, England, City of London, Newgate Street, Newgate Prison [Map]

Newgate Prison, London is in Newgate Street.

1454 Battle of Stamford Bridge

1497 Battle of Blackheath aka Deptford Bridge

1554 Wyatt's Rebellion Executions

1555 Protestant Executions

1715 Battle of Preston

1533 Buggery Act

1812 Assassination of Primeminister Spencer Perceval

Calendars. 24 Jan 1308 King Edward II of England (age 23). Canterbury, Kent [Map]. To the Sheriffs of London. Order to deliver John de la Dune, Roger de Hopton, Richard le Harpour, Roger de Soppewalle, Roger le Keu, Rober le Hunt, Thomas de Sydenham, Henry le Gardener, Thomas de la More, Philip Kemp, John le Wayt, and John le Wodeward, the men and servants of Adam de Kyngeshemede, in the King's prison of Newgate [Map] for a trespass committed by them upon the King's men at Westminster [Map], from prison upon their finding sufficient mainpernor's to have them before the King (age 23) or his Lieutenant in the quinzaine of the Purification of St Mary to stand to right concerning the said trespass. Witness: Piers Gaveston 1st Earl Cornwall (age 24).

Calendars. 11 Mar 1384. Commission to Nicholas Brembre, mayor of London, to arrest and bring Westninster to Newgate gaol [Map] all felons and evildoers notoriously suspected of coming nightly out of places ecclesiastically privileged, assembling in the city and suburbs to commit divers felonies, robberies, thefts, murders, &c. and after committing them, retiring by night to the said places for sanctuary, and also all such as are indicted therefor. By С.

1454 Battle of Stamford Bridge

On 31 Oct 1454 or 01 Nov 1454 John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 23) and Thomas Neville (age 24) captured Thomas Percy 1st Baron Egremont (age 31) and Richard Percy (age 28) in a skirmish known as the Battle of Stamford Bridge. [Note. The second battle at Stamford Bridge [Map] with the first being in 1066]. The brothers were taken to Middleham Castle [Map]. Thomas Percy 1st Baron Egremont (age 31) was subsequently fined £11,200 in damages which, with an income of £100, he was unlikely to ever pay. He was, therefore, taken to Newgate Prison, London [Map] in which he stayed until he escaped in 1456.

After 31 Oct 1454 Thomas Percy 1st Baron Egremont (age 31) was imprisoned at Newgate Prison, London [Map].

After 31 Oct 1454 Richard Percy (age 28) was imprisoned at Newgate Prison, London [Map].

Chronicle of Gregory 1451-1460. 1456. That same yere the Lorde Egramounde (age 33) brake owt of Newegate [Map] with many othyr men.

On 13 Nov 1456 Thomas Percy 1st Baron Egremont (age 33) escaped at Newgate Prison, London [Map].

On 13 Nov 1456 Richard Percy (age 30) escaped at Newgate Prison, London [Map].

Battle of Blackheath aka Deptford Bridge

After 17 Jun 1497 John Dynham 1st Baron Dynham (age 64) acted in judgement of James Tuchet 7th Baron Audley, 4th Baron Tuchet (age 34). He was tried as a peer and sentenced to be beheaded spending his last nigh in Newgate Prison, London [Map].

In 1533 Friar John Forest (age 62) was imprisoned at Newgate Prison, London [Map].

On 09 May 1546 George Blagge (age 34) was induced to deny the efficacy of the Mass, by trickery he alleged, while walking home after church. He was immediately summoned by Thomas Wriothesley (age 40), the Lord Chancellor, and sent to Newgate Prison [Map]. At his trial at the Guildhall [Map], the main witnesses for the prosecution were Littleton (age 41) and Sir Hugh Calverley (age 42), MP for Cheshire. On their evidence, Blagge (age 34) was sentenced to be burned for heresy the following Wednesday. Fortunately for him, the Lord Privy Seal, John Russell (age 61), appealed on his behalf to the king (age 54), who had not heard of the proceedings to that point. Henry (age 54) immediately pardoned Blagge and ordered Wriothesley to release him.

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1547. The 13th daie of Aprill Mr. John Wishe, founder, dwelling John Wish, without Ludgate, was presented to the Court of Aldermen, and by them admitted for Alderman of Algate; he refusing it, was sent to Newgate [Map], where he remayned till the twentie-one daie of Aprill, and then he was swome alderman; and ymediatlie at his desire he was dispenoed with by the maire and aldermen and sett to his fine for three hundred markes, wherof he should paie in hande within three dales an hundreth markes; and he had a yeares daie given him and a quarter for the rest to be paid at tow paymentes by a bonde made to the Chamberleyne of London; and so he was discharged of his aldermanshipp againe and all other offices in the cittie whatsoeaver.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 14 Mar 1551. The xiiij day of Marche wa(s) raynyd at the yeld-halle [Map] a C [100] mareners for robyng on the see, and the captayne, behyng a Skott, was cared to Nugate [Map] the sam day, and serten cast.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 26 Apr 1552. The sam day was sessyons at Nugatt [Map] for theyfes, and a cott-purs spessyally was for one James [Ellys] the grett pykpurs and cuttpurs that ever [was ar-]raynyd, for ther was never a presun and the Towr but he had byne in them, -the vj king Edward vjth.

In Jan 1554 John Rogers (age 49) he was imprisoned at Newgate Prison, London [Map] on the orders of Bishop Edmund "Bloody" Bonner of London (age 54).

Wyatt's Rebellion Executions

Wriothesley's Chronicle 22 Feb 1554. 22 Feb 1554. The 22 of February certeyne of the rebells which lay in Newgate [Map], both the Counters, the Kings Benche [Map], the Marshallsie [Map], and Westminster, to the number of iiii C. and more, were ledd to Westminster to the Cowrte, coupled together with collers and halters abowte their neckes, and there in the Tylt-yeard kneeled afore the Queen (age 38) lookinge owt at the gallerie by the gate, and cried for meroye, who most gratiouslye gave to them their pardon.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 14 Mar 1554. The xiiij day of Marche was in Aldergat-stret a woy[ce heard] in a walle that dyd spyke unto serten pepull, the wyche .... was complenyd unto my lord mayre, and so after yt was [made] knowen by dyvers what ther wher, and after cared unto [prison,] as Nugatt [Map] contur and the Towre [Map].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 24 May 1554. The xxiiij day of May was Corpus Christi day, and .... ther wher mony goodly pr[oss]essyons in mony parryches .. was yll, for mony had long torchys garnyshyd [in the] old fassyouns, and stayffe torchys bornyng, and mony [canopies] borne a-bowt the strett; and sant Pulcurs parryche went a-bowt ther owne parryche, and in Smythfeld; as they wher goohyng, ther cam a man unto the prest [that bare] the sacrament, and began to pluke ytt owt of ys hand, and contenent he druw ys dager (blank), and contenent he was taken and cared to Nuwgate [Map].

Note. P. 64. A man that would have plucked the sacrament out of the priest's hand. Stowe gives his name,—"a joyner that dwelt in Colman streete called John Strete;" and adds that in Newgate he "fayned him selfe madde:" but the latter statement is contradicted by Foxe, who has commemorated Strete more at length.

Note. Pp. 63, 139. Corpus Christi day. After the accession of Mary (says our Diarist, p. 63) this festival was kept with goodly processions, and torches garnished in the old fashion, and staff torches burning, and many canopies. All these particulars are confirmed by the parochial accounts of Saint Margaret's Westminster (still in perfect preservation at this and a still earlier period), from which the following extracts are made:

(In 1 Mariæ) Item, payde for breade, ale, and beere on Corpus Christie day xixd.

Item, payde for a ffrynge of si[l]ke for the canypye, wayenge xviij ounces qarter di. price the ownce xijd. summa xviijs. iiijd.

Item, payde to the brotherer for fasshonyng of the canopie and settyng on of the ffrynge xiiijd.

Item, for iiij knoppes for the canopie staves, alle gilte iiijs.

Item, payde for garnysshyng the iiij torches for Corpus Christye day, and the cariage of them from Londone ijs.

Item, flowres to the same torches vjd.

Item, payde to iiij torche-bearers on Corpus Christye day viijd.

(In 2 Mariæ) Item, payde for flowres for the torches on Corpus Christie day vijd.

Item, payde for v staf torches xs. xd.

Item, payde for the garnyshyng of them xxd.

Item, payde to v men for beryng of the sayde torches xd.

Item, payde for breade, ale, and beere xxd.

(In 3 Mariæ) Item, payde for iiij newe torchis wayeng lxxxxijli. di. at vd. the li. xxxviijs. viijd.

Item, payde for bote-hyre and for cariage of thame torchis vjd.

Item, payde for garnysshyng of the sayde iiij torchis xxd.

Item, payde to iiij men for beryng of the iiij great torchis viijd.

Item, payde to iiij children for bering the iiij staf torchis iiijd.

Item, payde to a man for beryng the great stremer jd.

Item, payde hym that did beare the crosse ijd.

Item, payde for breade, wyne, ale, and beere xxjd.

Item, payde for flowres the same day

Wriothesley's Chronicle 15 Jul 1554. 15 Jul 1554. The 15 of Julie, beinge Sundaye, one Elizabeth Crofte, a yonge mayden, stood at Paules Crosse [Map] on a litle scaffolde neare the preacher, which was taken in Aldersgate Streete in Aprill last past, called the wbyte byrde, or the byrde that spake in the walla. Her confession was readd by the precher openlye, which declared that one Drakes, a servant of Sir Anthony Nevillsb, which gaue her a whistle, and by theyr develish pretence feyned her to speake divers thinges of the Queen and Prince of Spayne, of the masse and confession; as that one Myles, clerk of St. Butolphes in Aldersgate Street, and a player, and one Hyll, a weaverc in Reddcrosse Streete, declared to the peopled, which caused great assemblie of people to drawe thither, which there openlye lamented in the presence of all the people. After her confession read she kneeled downe, and asked God forgivenes, and the Queens Maiestie, desyringe the people to praye for her, and to beware of heresies. The sermon done she went to prison agayne in Bred Street, where she had bene a litle tyme, but afore that she was in Newgate [Map]. And after Dr. Scorye resorted to her divers tymes to examin her; and after this she was released.

Note a. "called the Spirit in the Wall."- Stow.

Note b. "John Drake, Sir Antony Knevett's servant." - Diary of a Resident in London, p. 66; but Stow agrees with the text.

Note c. Stow reads: "a player, a weaver, Hill, clerk of St. Leonard's in Foster Lane, and others confederate with her."

Henry Machyn's Diary. 01 Nov 1554. The furst day of Novembar was [carried] by the gard into Nuwgatt [Map] serten men.

1555 Protestant Executions

Foxe's Book of Martyrs. 04 Feb 1555. Now when the time came, that he, being delivered to the sheriffs, should be brought out of Newgate [Map] to Smithfield [Map], the place of his execution, first came to him Master Woodroofe, one of the aforesaid sheriffs, and calling Master Rogers (age 50) unto him, asked him if he would revoke his abominable doctrine, and his evil opinion of the sacrament of the altar. Master Rogers (age 50) answered and said, "That which I have preached I will seal with my blood." "Then," quoth Master Woodroofe, "thou art a heretic." "That shall be known," quoth Rogers, "at the day of judgment." "Well," quoth Master Woodroofe, "I will never pray for thee." "But I will pray for you," quoth Master Rogers: and so was brought the same day, which was Monday the fourth of February, by the sheriffs towards Smithfield, saying the psalm Miserere by the way, all the people wonderfully rejoicing at his constancy, with great praises and thanks to God for the same. And there, in the presence of Master Rochester, comptroller of the queen's household, Sir Richard Southwell (age 52), both the sheriffs, and a wonderful number of people, the fire was put unto him; and when it had taken hold both upon his legs and shoulders, he, as one feeling no smart, washed his hands in the flame, as though it had been in cold water. And, after lifting up his hands unto heaven, not removing the same until such time as the devouring fire had consumed them - most mildly this happy martyr yielded up his spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father. A little before his burning at the stake, his pardon was brought, if he would have recanted, but he utterly refused. He was the first protomartyr of all the blessed company that suffered in Queen Mary's time, that gave the first adventure upon the fire. His wife and children, being eleven in number, and ten able to go, and one sucking on her breast, met him by the way as he went towards Smithfield. This sorrowful sight of his own flesh and blood could nothing move him; but that he constantly and cheerfully took his death, with wonderful patience, in the defence and quarrel of Christ's gospel.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 04 Feb 1555. The iiij day (of) Feybruary the bysshope of London (age 55) went into Nugatt [Map], and odur docturs, to dysgratt [degrade] Hoper (age 60), and Rogers (age 50) sumtyme vycker of sant Polkers.

Note. P. 82. Burning of bishop Hooper. The letter from the queen to lord Chandos directing him to repair to Gloucester and assist at the execution of bishop Hooper, has been published in Miss Wood's Letters of Royal and Illustrious Ladies, iii. 284.

Foxe's Book of Martyrs. 04 Feb 1555. The fourth day of February, the year above mentioned, in the chapel in Newgate [Map], the bishop of London (age 55) there sitting with his notary and certain other witnesses, came Alexander Andrew, the gaoler, bringing with him Master Hooper (age 60) and Master Rogers (age 50), being condemned before by the chancellor (age 72); where the said bishop of London (age 55), at the request of the aforesaid Winchester (age 72), proceeded to the degradation of the parties above mentioned, Master Hooper and Master Rogers, after this form and manner: first, he put upon him all the vestures and ornaments belonging to a priest, with all other things to the same order appertaining, as though (being revested) they should solemnly execute their office. Thus they, being apparelled and invested, the bishop beginneth to pluck off, first the uttermost vesture; and so, by degree and order, coming down to the lowest vesture, which they had only in taking Benet and Collet; and so, being stript and deposed, he deprived them of all order, benefit, and privilege belonging to the clergy; and consequently, that being done, pronounced, decreed, and declared the said parties so degraded, to be given personally to the secular power, as the sheriffs being for that year, Master Davy Woodroofe, and Master William Chester; who, receiving first the said Master Rogers at the hands of the bishop, had him away with them, bringing him to the place of execution where he suffered. The witnesses there present were Master Harpsfield, archdeacon of London; Robert Cosin, and Robert Willerton, canons of Paul's; Thomas Mountague, and George How, clerks; Tristram Swadock, and Richard Cloney, the sumner, &c.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 20 Apr 1555. The xx day of Aprell was raynyd at Powlles a-for the bysshope of London (age 55) and many odur and my lord cheyffe justys and my lord mayre and the shreyffes; ys name was (master Fowler, alias Branch ); he was a monke of Ely; and ther was a goodly sermon, and after he was cast and condemnyd to have ys hand that hurt the prest cut off or he shuld suffer, and after dysgracyd, and after cared to Nuwgatt [Map]ss.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 18 May 1555. The sam day of May was (arraigned) iiij men at Powlles, a-for none and after-non, of Essex, and thay wher cast for heresse, all iiij cast to be bornyd, and so cared unto Nugatt [Map].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 25 May 1555. [The xxv day of May were arraigned at St. Paul's for heresy, before the bishop, master Cardmaker sometime vicar of St. Bride's in Fleet-street, and one] John Warren a cloth [worker in Walbrook] and a-nodur of (blank), and cast to be brent; and [carried back to] Nugatt [Map].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 10 Jun 1555. The x day of Juin was delevered owt of Nuwgatt [Map] vij men to be cared in-to Essex and Suffoke to borne [burned].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 23 Aug 1555. The xxiij day of August was bornyd at [Stratford]-of-bowe, in the conte of Mydyllsex, a woman, [wife] of John Waren, clothworker, a huphulster [over] agaynst sant Johns in Walbroke; the wyche .... John her hosband was bornyd with on Cardmaker in Smythfeld, for herese boyth; and the sam woman had a sune taken at her bornyng and cared to Nuwgatt [Map] [to his] syster, for they will borne [burn] boyth.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 12 Nov 1557. The xij day of November ther was a post sett up in Smythfeld [Map] for iij that shuld have beyn bornyd, butt boyth wod and colles; and my lord abbott of Westminster (age 42) cam to Newgatt [Map] and talked with them, and so they wher stayd for that day of bornyng.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 13 Nov 1557. The xiij day of November was sant Erkenwald eve, the iiij and v yere of king and quen, whent owt of Newgatt [Map] unto Smyth-feld [Map] to be bornyd iij men; on was [blank] Gybsun, the sun of sergantt Gybsun, sergantt of armes, and of the reywelles [revels], and of the kynges tenstes [tents]; and ij more, the whyche here be ther names-Gybsun, Hali[day,] and Sparow, thes iij men.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 13 Aug 1560. The xiij day of August was a grett robere done with-in Clementt('s) inn with-owt Tempulle bare, by on master Cutt and iij mo, and iij of them was taken, on led into Nuwgatt [Map] and a-nodur in Wostrett contur, and a-nodur in the contur in the Pultre.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 21 Feb 1561. The sam day sessyons at Nuwgatt [Map], and [there] was cast xvij men and ij women for to [be hanged.] ...

Henry Machyn's Diary. 18 Apr 1561. The xviij day of Aprell was raynyd at Nuwgat [Map] master Putnam gentylman for a rape, and cast, and dyvers odur.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 18 Jun 1561. The xviij day of June was a woman sett in the stokes in Newgatt markett with serten fylles [files] and odur instrumentes, the wyche she browth to Newgatt [Map] to here hosband for to fylle the yrons of ys leges, and odur thynges.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 29 Sep 1561. The xxix day of September, was Myghellmas evyn, the old shreyffes master Cristofer Draper and master Thomas Rowe unto the nuw shreyffes master (Alexander) Avenon, and master (Humphrey) Baskerfeld (age 44), was delevered Nugatt [Map] and Ludgatt, and the ij conters, and the presonars.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 12 May 1562. The sam day at nyght ther was a grett frey, [and my] lord mare (age 66) and the ij shreyffes was send fore, and they had a do to pasefy the pepull, and dyvers wher hurtt, and s[ertain] cared to Nuwgatt [Map] and to the conturs, and ther was .... the best archers of London with the flethe, and master Underelle hu.. the master of the comen-huntt.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 15 May 1562 and 16 May 1562. The xv and vj day of May was sessyons at Nuwgatt [Map], and so many wher cast doys [those] ij days; and the sam monyth were dyvers token sene in dyvers placys in England, a calffe and (unfinished)

Pepy's Diary. 10 Jan 1664. So to bed. All our discourse to-night was Mr. Tryan's late being robbed; and that Collonell Turner (age 55) (a mad, swearing, confident fellow, well known by all, and by me), one much indebted to this man for his very livelihood, was the man that either did or plotted it; and the money and things are found in his hand, and he and his wife now in Newgate [Map] for it; of which we are all glad, so very a known rogue he was.

Pepy's Diary. 09 May 1667. After all this discourse we turned back and to White Hall, where we parted, and I took up my wife at Unthanke's, and so home, and in our street, at the Three Tuns' Tavern [Map] door, I find a great hubbub; and what was it but two brothers [Note. Basil Fielding and Christopher Fielding] have fallen out, and one killed the other. And who should they be but the two Fieldings; one whereof, Bazill, was page to my Lady Sandwich (age 42); and he hath killed the other, himself being very drunk, and so is sent to Newgate [Map].

Pepy's Diary. 01 Aug 1667. Then we home, the gates of the City shut, it being so late: and at Newgate we find them in trouble, some thieves having this night broke open prison [Map]. So we through, and home; and our coachman was fain to drive hard from two or three fellows, which he said were rogues, that he met at the end of Blow-bladder Street, next Cheapside. So set Mrs. Turner (age 44) home, and then we home, and I to the Office a little; and so home and to bed, my wife in an ill humour still.

In Dec 1672 Mary Moders (age 30) was captured when a turnkey from Newgate Prison, London [Map] recognized her while searching for stolen loot.

Evelyn's Diary. 20 Mar 1683. Dined at Dr. Whistler's, at the Physicians' College, with Sir Thomas Millington (age 55), both learned men; Dr. W. (age 55) the most facetious man in nature, and now Censor of the college. I was here consulted where they should build their library; it is a pity this college is built so near Newgate Prison [Map], and in so obscure a hole, a fault in placing most of our public buildings and churches in the city, through the avarice of some few men, and his Majesty (age 52) not overruling it, when it was in his power after the dreadful conflagration.

Evelyn's Diary. 01 Nov 1688. Dined with Lord Preston (age 39), with other company, at Sir Stephen Fox's (age 61). Continual alarms of the Prince of Orange (age 37), but no certainty. Reports of his great losses of horse in the storm, but without any assurance. A man was taken with divers papers and printed manifestoes, and carried to Newgate [Map], after examination at the Cabinet Council. There was likewise a declaration of the States for satisfaction of all public ministers at The Hague, except to the English and the French. There was in that of the Prince's an expression, as if the Lords both spiritual and temporal had invited him over, with a deduction of the causes of his enterprise. This made his Majesty (age 55) convene my Lord of Canterbury (age 71) and the other Bishops now in town, to give an account of what was in the manifesto, and to enjoin them to clear themselves by some public writing of this disloyal charge.

1715 Battle of Preston

The 1715 Battle of Preston was the final action of the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion. It commenced on 09 Nov 1715 when Jacobite cavalry entered Preston, Lancashire [Map]. Royalist troops arrived in number over the next few days surrounding Preston forcing the Jaocbite surrender. 1463 were taken prisoner of which 463 were English. The Scottish prisoners included:

George Seton 5th Earl of Winton (age 37). The only prisoner to plead not guilty, sentenced to death, escaped from the Tower of London [Map] on 04 Aug 1716 around nine in the evening. Travelled to France then to Rome.

On 24 Feb 1716 William Gordon 6th Viscount Kenmure was beheaded on Tower Hill [Map].

On 09 Feb 1716 William Maxwell 5th Earl Nithsale was sentenced to be executed on 24 Feb 1716. The night before his wife (age 35) effected his escape from the Tower of London [Map] by exchanging his clothes with those of her maid. They travelled to Paris then to Rome where the court of James "Old Pretender" Stewart (age 26) was.

James Radclyffe 3rd Earl Derwentwater (age 25) was imprisoned in the Tower of London [Map]. He was examined by the Privy Council on 10 Jan 1716 and impeached on 19 Jan 1716. He pleaded guilty in the expectation of clemency. He was attainted and condemned to death. Attempts were made to procure his pardon. His wife Anna Maria Webb Countess Derwentwater (age 23), her sister Mary Webb Countess Waldegrave (age 20) [Note. Assumed to be her sister Mary], their aunt Anne Brudenell Duchess Richmond (age 44), Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland appealed to King George I of Great Britain and Ireland (age 54) in person without success.

On 24 Feb 1716 James Radclyffe 3rd Earl Derwentwater (age 25) was beheaded on Tower Hill [Map]. Earl Derwentwater, Baronet Radclyffe of Derwentwater in Cumberland forfeit.

William Murray 2nd Lord Nairne was tried on 09 Feb 1716 for treason, found guilty, attainted, and condemned to death. He survived long enough to benefit from the Indemnity Act of 1717.

General Thomas Forster of Adderstone (age 31) was attainted. He was imprisoned at Newgate Prison, London [Map] but escaped to France.

On 14 May 1716 Henry Oxburgh was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn [Map]. He was buried at Church of St Gile's in the Fields. His head was spiked on Temple Bar.

The trials and sentences were overseen by the Lord High Steward William Cowper 1st Earl Cowper (age 50) for which he subsequently received his Earldom.

After 1727 Charles Wilkinson of Boroughbridge, Yorkshire was discovered to have been in debt to to the Government for over £30,000 and consequently spent the rest of his life as a crown debtor in Newgate Prison, London [Map].

1533 Buggery Act

On 08 Jul 1810 the Bow Street police raided the White Swan on Vere Street in London that had been established as a molly-house in early 1810 by two men, James Cook and Yardley. Twenty-seven men were arrested, but the majority of them were released (perhaps as a result of bribe); eight were tried and convicted. On 27 Sep 1810 six men were pilloried at the Haymarket. On 07 Mar 1811 John Hepburn (46) and Thomas White (16), a drummer boy, were hanged at Newgate Prison, London [Map] despite not being present on the night of the raid.

On 27 Nov 1835 James Pratt 1805-1835 and John Smith 1795-1835 were the last two men to be executed under the 1828 Offences Against the Person Act which had replaced the 1533 Buggery Act. They were hanged in front of Newgate Prison, London [Map].

Assassination of Primeminister Spencer Perceval

On 11 May 1812 Spencer Perceval (age 49) was assassinated at House of Commons. Robert Jenkinson 2nd Earl Liverpool (age 41) was appointed Prime Minister.

At 5:15 pm, on the evening of 11 May 1812, Perceval was on his way to attend the inquiry into the Orders in Council. As he entered the lobby of the House of Commons, a man stepped forward, drew a pistol and shot him in the chest. The assassin, John Bellingham, was a merchant who believed he had been unjustly imprisoned in Russia and was entitled to compensation from the government, but all his petitions had been rejected.

Perceval left a widow and twelve children aged between three and twenty. Parliament voted to settle £50,000 on Perceval's children, with additional annuities for his widow and eldest son.

On 18 May 1812 John Bellingham was hanged at Newgate Prison, London [Map]. René Martin Pillet says ...

This unfortunate man had presented several memorials, and had repeatedly demanded audience, but they had given him no answer. Driven to despair, he presented himself at the door of the house of commons, waited for the prime minister, Mr. Percival, and shot him. He was seized, confessed the crime, was tried, condemned to be hung, and executed a few days after. At the time of execution an immense crowd filled the public square, and these expressions were heard on every side: Farewell poor man, you owe satisfaction to the offended laws of your country, but God bless you! you have rendered an important service to your country, you have tdugllt ministers that they should do justice, and grant audience when it is asked of them.

A subscription was opened for the widow and children, and a handsome sum was raised. Their fortune was ten times greater than they could ever have expected in any other situation.

In 1841 George Edward Waldegrave 7th Earl Waldegrave (age 24) was imprisoned for six months at Newgate Prison, London [Map] for having having drunkenly assaulted a police officer in Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey [Map]. His wife Frances Braham Countess Waldegrave (age 19) and servants joined him during his imprisonment.