John Frith (assailant)
Encyclopedia
John Frith was an Englishman who believed himself to be St Paul.
On 21 January 1790, Frith threw a stone at King George III's
coach as it travelled to the State Opening of Parliament
. As in an earlier case of assault against the King, that of Margaret Nicholson
, Frith had sent multiple petitions to Parliament
regarding his constitutional rights. He believed that he had been illegally deprived of his livelihood as a lieutenant in the army after he had been forcibly retired by Jeffrey Amherst
, who had "fabricated evidence of insanity against him". Frith claimed that Amherst had sent "supernatural agents" to whisper in his ear. As his petitions were ignored, Frith may have lobbed the stone in an attempt to gain the attention that he felt he deserved.
During questioning, Frith denied wanting to harm the King, and claimed he was trying to draw attention to his cause. However, he also claimed that people saw him as a messiah, and that when the moon was in the south its effects were so strong that he was unable to sleep near heavy buildings. He was arraigned at Newgate Prison
, but after attempting to explain that his "Christ-like powers" had helped him to defeat the voices in his ear, he was declared unfit to plead by reason of insanity. He was discharged on the condition that he be committed to an asylum, but he remained at Newgate suffering occasional "fits of rage" until December 1791, when he was moved to Bethlem Royal Hospital
.
Like the earlier Nicholson case, the King was portrayed as treating an insane person accused of a crime with forgiveness and forbearance.
On 21 January 1790, Frith threw a stone at King George III's
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
coach as it travelled to the State Opening of Parliament
State Opening of Parliament
In the United Kingdom, the State Opening of Parliament is an annual event that marks the commencement of a session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is held in the House of Lords Chamber, usually in November or December or, in a general election year, when the new Parliament first assembles...
. As in an earlier case of assault against the King, that of Margaret Nicholson
Margaret Nicholson
Margaret Nicholson was an Englishwoman who assaulted King George III. Her futile and somewhat half-hearted attempt on the King's life became famous and was featured in one of Shelley's first works: Posthumous Fragments of Margaret Nicholson, published in 1810.-Life:Nicholson was born in...
, Frith had sent multiple petitions to Parliament
Parliament of Great Britain
The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in 1707 following the ratification of the Acts of Union by both the Parliament of England and Parliament of Scotland...
regarding his constitutional rights. He believed that he had been illegally deprived of his livelihood as a lieutenant in the army after he had been forcibly retired by Jeffrey Amherst
Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst
Field Marshal Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst KCB served as an officer in the British Army and as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces.Amherst is best known as one of the victors of the French and Indian War, when he conquered Louisbourg, Quebec City and...
, who had "fabricated evidence of insanity against him". Frith claimed that Amherst had sent "supernatural agents" to whisper in his ear. As his petitions were ignored, Frith may have lobbed the stone in an attempt to gain the attention that he felt he deserved.
During questioning, Frith denied wanting to harm the King, and claimed he was trying to draw attention to his cause. However, he also claimed that people saw him as a messiah, and that when the moon was in the south its effects were so strong that he was unable to sleep near heavy buildings. He was arraigned at Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison was a prison in London, at the corner of Newgate Street and Old Bailey just inside the City of London. It was originally located at the site of a gate in the Roman London Wall. The gate/prison was rebuilt in the 12th century, and demolished in 1777...
, but after attempting to explain that his "Christ-like powers" had helped him to defeat the voices in his ear, he was declared unfit to plead by reason of insanity. He was discharged on the condition that he be committed to an asylum, but he remained at Newgate suffering occasional "fits of rage" until December 1791, when he was moved to Bethlem Royal Hospital
Bethlem Royal Hospital
The Bethlem Royal Hospital is a psychiatric hospital located in London, United Kingdom and part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Although no longer based at its original location, it is recognised as the world's first and oldest institution to specialise in mental illnesses....
.
Like the earlier Nicholson case, the King was portrayed as treating an insane person accused of a crime with forgiveness and forbearance.