Life was tough for workers in the first two decades of the 19th century. Farmers left their fields for the factories in increasing numbers, only to be joined, after 1815, by soldiers returning from the Napoleonic Wars. Food supplies came under pressure and prices began to rise. It didn't help that the government was unsympathetic to the plight of ordinary people. Rebellion was in the air.
Arthur Thistlewood sensed the time was right to foment revolution. Having previously failed to seize the Bank of England, he and his band of self-styled "Spencean Philanthropists" set out to overthrow the government. They learned that Lord Harrowby was to host a dinner for the entire Cabinet on Wednesday, 23 February 1820, at his home in Grosvenor Square. Thistlewood was to knock on the front door pretending to have official papers for Harrowby.
Having armed themselves in a stable in Cato Street, off Edgware Road, the rest of the conspirators were to rush into the house, throwing grenades to spread panic and confusion. The dinner party guests were to be ruthlessly massacred and their heads placed on spikes.However, the Privy Council had got wind of the plot and moved the dinner to the home of the prime minister, Lord Liverpool. The "Bow Street Runners", an early police force, prepared to move in on the gang, backed up by soldiers from the Coldstream Guards.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
At nine in the evening, the police kicked down the stable door, shouting "We are peace officers lay down your arms". Thistlewood was ordered to drop his sword and pistol, or else "I'll fire instantly", cried Officer Ellis.Officer Smithers moved in to make the arrest but was run through by Thistlewood, who ordered that the lights be extinguished. Shooting another officer in the hand, Thistlewood took advantage of the melee to escape out the back. The soldiers entered the street by the wrong end and arrived too late to be of any help.
The Bow Street Runners had the last laugh days later when they caught up with Thistlewood, who was found hiding in bed. Five of the conspirators were transported to Australia, while the remaining five, including Thistlewood, were publicly hanged on 1 May. Their heads were cut off as a warning to other would-be plotters.
-
M&S and Tesco among those warning of a £7bn Budget hitSeventy-nine UK retailers have written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves about possible price rises and job cuts - here is what it means
-
How much does it cost to move home under the Labour government?Home-moving costs are rising and could get more expensive once stamp duty thresholds drop in April 2025
-
31 August 1957: the Federation of Malaya declares independence from the UKFeatures On this day in 1957, after ten years of preparation, the Federation of Malaya became an independent nation.
-
13 April 1960: the first satellite navigation system is launchedFeatures On this day in 1960, Nasa sent the Transit 1B satellite into orbit to provide positioning for the US Navy’s fleet of Polaris ballistic missile submarines.
-
9 April 1838: National Gallery opens in Trafalgar Square
Features On this day in 1838, William Wilkins’ new National Gallery building in Trafalgar Square opened to the public.
-
3 March 1962: British Antarctic Territory is created
Features On this day in 1962, Britain formed the British Antarctic Territory administered from the Falkland Islands.
-
10 March 2000: the dotcom bubble peaks
Features Tech mania fanned by the dawning of the internet age inflated the dotcom bubble to maximum extent, on this day in 2000.
-
9 March 1776: Adam Smith publishes 'The Wealth of Nations'
Features On this day in 1776, Adam Smith, the “father of modern economics”, published his hugely influential book The Wealth of Nations.
-
8 March 1817: the New York Stock Exchange is formed
Features On this day in 1817, a group of brokers moved out of a New York coffee house to form what would become the biggest stock exchange in the world.
-
7 March 1969: Queen Elizabeth II officially opens the Victoria Line
Features On this day in 1969, Queen Elizabeth II took only her second trip on the tube to officially open the underground’s newest line – the Victoria Line.
