Hare David Calligrapher (1 results)

Condition: Good. Engraved broadside with various images of the attempted assassination and of female representatives of the various virtues, with ornate calligraphy by David Hare. Very rare. 45.5 x 35cm.Missing part of blank lower margin' tears in other blank margins. .On August 2, 1786, Margaret Nicholson attempted to assassinate King George III with a dessert knife at St. James's Palace, but the blade broke on her second thrust. The king escaped unharmed, reportedly stating "The poor creature is mad; do not hurt her!". Nicholson was declared insane and confined to Bedlam. The Incident: Nicholson, 36, approached King George III as he arrived at the palace, pretending to present a petition before lunging with an ivory-handled knife. The "Guardian": The "guardian angel" was effectively the King's own composure and, physically, the immediate action of the palace attendants who tackled Nicholson before she could cause injury. Aftermath: The attack, a major news event, led to depictions of the scene by artists like Robert Dighton. Margaret Nicholson: She was committed to Bethlehem Hospital (Bedlam), where she remained until her death in 1828, becoming a figure in literature.