The Despard Plot: A Revolutionary Conspiracy to Overthrow a King

In the early 19th century, a shadowy conspiracy unfolded in the heart of London, a daring plot led by Colonel Edward Marcus Despard that aimed to shake the very foundations of the British monarchy. This was the Despard Plot of 1802, a plan that sought to assassinate King George III and incite a widespread uprising throughout the city. The British government, aware of the simmering conspiracy months before its planned execution, watched and waited, gathering evidence to ensure a decisive blow against the conspirators.

The Conspiracy Unfolds

Colonel Edward Marcus Despard, a former army officer and colonial official, emerged as the mastermind behind this audacious plan. His goal was nothing less than the assassination of King George III and the seizure of strategic locations in London, including the Bank of England and the Tower of London. These acts were intended as the catalyst for a larger uprising among the city's populace.

Despard's arrest came on November 16, 1802, when the Bow Street Runners apprehended him and several co-conspirators at the Oakley Arms tavern in Lambeth. Among those arrested were a diverse group of craftsmen and laborers, including carpenters, shoemakers, hatters, a stonemason, and even a former sailor turned plasterer. Many, like Despard, were veterans, with several Irishmen who had served in the Royal Navy.

The Oakley Arms was situated near Albion Mills, a symbol of resistance to the Industrial Revolution, and the surrounding neighborhood was a hotbed of unrest against parliamentary and economic exploitation. It was in this charged atmosphere that Despard's conspiracy took root. The government, referred to as "Man Eaters," and Parliament, dubbed the "Den of Thieves," were seen as oppressive forces by the discontented populace.

A Dangerous Plan

While the plot was widely publicized, details of the ensuing trial were never fully disclosed. In 1794, the British government had failed to prove treasonous activity by the London Corresponding Society, to which Despard belonged. As a result, the prosecution focused on the assassination attempt against King George III. Informants alleged that John Wood, one of Despard's associates, planned to fire a cannon at the King's carriage as it approached Buckingham House. Although Despard reportedly considered regicide, his ultimate aim may have been broader political change, hoping for support from influential figures like the politician Francis Burdett.

A key piece of evidence came from Sir Edward O'Brien Pryce, who claimed Despard had offered him limitless funds for advice on crafting underground bombs. Pryce described a plan to bury explosives under roads leading to Windsor Castle, Buckingham House, and Hyde Park, intending to detonate them as the King passed by. However, Pryce's evidence was never presented in court, as authorities questioned his delay in reporting the plot.

Despite the focus on regicide, Despard and his allies also planned to seize the Bank of England and incite a military uprising at the Tower of London, hoping these acts would spark revolts across the nation.

The Trial and Execution

The trial, lacking substantial physical evidence, hinged on printed copies of the United Englishmen's constitution, advocating independence for Britain and Ireland, equal rights, and compensation for those who fell in the struggle. Although these documents were revolutionary, they did not convincingly prove a plot to kill the King. The Treason Act of 1795 blurred the line between plotting and committing treason, complicating Despard's defense.

During the trial, Despard's mental state was scrutinized, much like James Hadfield, another would-be assassin of King George III. Despite doubts about Despard's sanity, the jury found him and his co-conspirators guilty of high treason but recommended mercy, swayed by character references from notable figures like Evan Nepean and Horatio Nelson.

The planned execution caused anxiety among officials, as it was to occur in an area densely populated by working-class men sympathetic to Despard's cause. Sir Richard Ford, the chief magistrate, expressed concern over the large crowds gathering near the jail. Authorities feared a riot or an attempt to free the prisoners, deploying over 100 armed soldiers to maintain order.

Catherine Despard, Edward's wife, added to the authorities' worries. A woman of African descent, she was a fervent advocate for prisoners' rights and maintained contact between her husband and his supporters. Her efforts to improve prison conditions and her connections with influential figures like Lord Nelson alarmed the prison wardens, who suspected her of smuggling but feared searching her.

On February 21, 1803, Despard, along with John Francis, John Wood, James Sedgewick, Thomas Broughton, Arthur Graham, and John Macnamara, faced execution at Old Horsemonger Lane Gaol in Southwark. The execution drew a crowd of approximately 20,000, making it the largest public gathering until Admiral Lord Nelson's funeral two years later.

The Aftermath and Legacy

The Despard Plot left an indelible mark on British history. Historian E.P. Thompson, in "The Making of the English Working Class," recognized its significance in justifying the government's policy of imposing restrictions on popular liberties. For radical factions, it marked the beginning of a strategy centered around coups, a precursor to the Cato Street Conspiracy of 1820.

The Despard Plot, with its mix of revolutionary fervor and audacious plans, remains a powerful episode in the annals of British political history, reflecting the tensions and struggles of an era marked by radical ideas and the fight for change.

Sources

For further reading, please refer to the original article on Wikipedia.