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The Attempt to Assassinate [sic] the King: On the second of August 1786 Margaret Nicholson under the pretence of presenting a Petition, attempted to stab his Majesty as he was alighting from his Chariot at the garden entrance to St. James's Palace, near Marlborough Wall, but was happily prevented by Mr. Topper one of the King's footmen and an attendant Yeoman by whom she was secured. At the same time the Sovereign with great coolness & humanity said "I have received no injury - Don't hurt the Woman - The poor Creature appears to be insane." After several examinations no doubt of her insanity remaining she was sent to Bethlem Hospital.

Description

Abstract:
Hand-colored aquatint by Pollard after Smirke; George III alighting from carriage, approached by knife-wielding woman, Margaret Nicolson, Mr. Topper, the footman and Yeoman of the Guard intervening, others at right.
Notes:
"On the second of August 1786 Margaret Nicholson under the pretence of presenting a Petition, attempted to stab His Majesty as he was alighting from his Chariot at the garden entrance to St. James's Palace..."
London, Parker Gallery, 1960.

Access Conditions

Rights
No Copyright - United States
Restrictions on Use
Collection is open for research.

Citation

Smirke, Robert, "The Attempt to Assassinate [sic] the King: On the second of August 1786 Margaret Nicholson under the pretence of presenting a Petition, attempted to stab his Majesty as he was alighting from his Chariot at the garden entrance to St. James's Palace, near Marlborough Wall, but was happily prevented by Mr. Topper one of the King's footmen and an attendant Yeoman by whom she was secured. At the same time the Sovereign with great coolness & humanity said 'I have received no injury - Don't hurt the Woman - The poor Creature appears to be insane.' After several examinations no doubt of her insanity remaining she was sent to Bethlem Hospital. " (1786). Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:238885/

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