Queen Victoria survived first of two assassination attempts 183 years ago today
It was 183 years ago today when Queen Victoria survived the first of two consecutive assassination attempts in London.
As the queen returned to Buckingham Palace on May 29, 1842, a young man named John Francis aimed his pistol at her carriage.
For reasons unknown, 19-year-old Francis did not pull the trigger and fled. But his actions did not go unnoticed, according to an article published in the peer-reviewed journal Victorian Review.
A 16-year-old witness named George Pearson saw Francis aim his weapon, but never alerted the authorities because he had a stammering problem, believing Francis would be gone by the time he formulated the words, experts said.
But this wouldn't be Francis' only attempt.
The next day, as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert returned from their 'usual afternoon' carriage ride, Francis caused a scene outside Buckingham Palace, using 'horrid' and 'abusive' language, accusing the queen of living 'upon the vitals of the people,' according to a broadside published May 30, 1842.
This time, Francis 'took a deliberate aim' and pulled the trigger, but the gun misfired, according to a second broadside published May 30, 1842.
The broadside notes discrepancies in witness accounts about whether the pull of the trigger resulted in a flash in the pan or a successfully discharged shot. The queen was unharmed.
Seconds lost when constable salutes queen
Police constable William Trounce, who helped apprehend Francis, expressed concern that by saluting the queen's carriage that day with his right hand, he may have lost precious seconds to stop Francis from firing, according to a copy of his written statement following the assassination attempt.
Trounce said he 'did not intent to make any delay in seizing' Francis. 'If I had known at the first moment who fired the Pistol, I could have laid hold of him sooner,' the statement read. The BBC reports Queen Victoria defiantly left Buckingham Palace the day after the first assassination attempt, luring Francis into the hands of authorities.
Francis was seized, charged with high treason and sentenced to death. His sentence was commuted to transportation for life in Australia, records show.
Queen Victoria survived assassination attempts by seven men in her lifetime.
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Queen Victoria survived first of two assassination attempts 183 years ago today
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