On the latest episode of the Mail's podcast Queens, Kings & Dastardly Things, royal biographer Robert Hardman and historian Kate Williams delve into the fascinating history of Queen Victoria, who survived a remarkable seven assassination attempts—more than any other monarch in history. This multitude of threats against her reign not only reveals the complexities of Victorian society but also highlights the precarious nature of royal life during a time of political turmoil.
The first attack on Queen Victoria occurred in 1840 when she was just 21 years old and pregnant with her first child. Edward Oxford, an 18-year-old waiter, emerged from the crowd in Hyde Park wielding two pistols. As Williams narrates, Oxford's intentions were crafted as much by the political fervour of the time as by personal ambition. Lacking experience as a marksman, he missed his initial shot, but his plan aimed to catch the Queen's attention, hoping that the sound of the gunfire would prompt the carriage to halt, allowing him a closer shot. Ultimately unsuccessful, Oxford was apprehended after the crowd quickly overwhelmed him.
His motivations appear intertwined with the extremist ideals espoused by a group known as Young England, which sought a greater role for the monarchy in governance. Following his arrest, the context of the trial revealed the tumultuous public attitudes towards lunacy as a legal defence. Amidst much public discourse, the court found him not guilty on grounds of insanity, a verdict that Victoria herself found deeply unsatisfactory, describing it as “very stupid” in her journal. This decision exemplified the growing public discourse on mental health and its implications for justice in the 19th century.
Oxford's life took an unexpected turn after his release from Broadmoor Hospital, where he spent three years. The court's sentence not only spared his life but also allowed him the possibility of rehabilitation. Surprisingly, he managed to rebuild his existence in Australia, where he became a church warden and pursued a career as a journalist. “Oxford flourished in later life,” Williams remarked, adding nuance to the tragic narrative of an attempted assassin who instead led a relatively normal life far from his tumultuous past.
Victoria remained a target throughout her reign, with numerous assassination attempts illustrating not only the dangerous environment in which she ruled but also the societal challenges of the time. Quickly following Oxford's attempt were further attacks from individuals like John Francis and Robert Pate, each with their unique motivations rooted in political discontent and personal ideology. Historians point to the atmosphere of unrest and calls for political reform as significant factors contributing to the growing hostility directed at the monarch.
The imperilment of Queen Victoria's life encapsulated the sweeping changes of the Victorian era—an age marked by industrial growth, social upheaval, and evolving attitudes toward monarchy. The legacy of these attempts highlights a period during which the monarchy was both revered and reviled, caught between an expanding empire and the revolutionary fervour of those within it.
The podcast serves as a captivating exploration of these episodes, inviting listeners to reflect on the fraught relationship between the throne and its subjects. With a blend of history and spirited storytelling, Hardman and Williams's discussion is a reminder of the ever-volatile intersection of power and public sentiment.
To hear more about these stories from royal history, the podcast Queens, Kings & Dastardly Things is available on various platforms.
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Source: Noah Wire Services