On 20 May 1728, Mary Hendron and Margaret Pendergrass were executed at Tyburn for their role in coercing Sibble Morris into a criminal scheme. While a male accomplice was acquitted, the two women were convicted and hanged, highlighting the harsh and uneven justice of 18th-century England.
Author Archives: The Sage Page
Advice of the Day: Choosing a Football Team to Support
The Wise Sage offers another absurd “Advice of the Day,” this time tackling the perilous decision of choosing a football team to support. In true Viz Top Tips style, this humorous guide replaces logic with chaos—delivering a counter-intuitive approach that guarantees confusion, misplaced loyalty, and a lifetime of questionable sporting decisions.
Quote of the Day: Room for Wisdom
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage reflects on space and simplicity: “A limited room teaches more wisdom than an endless store of things.” A thoughtful reminder that constraints can bring clarity, helping us focus on what truly matters rather than becoming lost in excess.
This Day in History: 19 May 1743
Gabriel Beaugrand was convicted of manslaughter on 19 May 1743 after a tavern dispute in Newport Street turned deadly. What began as a drunken argument over status at sea ended in a fatal stabbing. Beaugrand was branded rather than executed, while his uncle Lewis Brunet was acquitted.
Advice of the Day: Where to Keep Your Change
The Wise Sage returns with another absurd “Advice of the Day,” this time tackling the mystery of loose change. In true Viz Top Tips style, this humorous guide replaces organisation with chaos—offering a counter-intuitive approach to storing coins that ensures they are always somewhere… just rarely where you need them.
Advice of the Day: Feeding the Ducks
The Wise Sage delivers another absurd “Advice of the Day,” this time tackling the deceptively simple task of feeding ducks. In true Viz Top Tips style, this humorous guide replaces gentle feeding with chaos, drama, and questionable snack choices—offering a counter-intuitive approach that may leave you followed, judged, or mildly outnumbered.
Quote of the Day: Time
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage reflects on value and priorities: “The theft of gold leads to prosecution; the theft of time rarely does.” A thoughtful reminder that while material loss is punished, the quiet loss of time often goes unnoticed — despite being far more valuable.
This Day in History: 7 May 1740
John Sawney was executed on 7 May 1740 for robbing Sarah Cockram of her cloak in Drury Lane. A former sailor turned soldier, his life spiralled into crime and drink. Captured moments after the theft, he was convicted and sentenced to death in a stark example of 18th-century justice
This Day in History: 6 May 1685
On 6 May 1685, twenty-three prisoners were executed at Tyburn following an Old Bailey session. Despite the Ordinary’s efforts, many remained unrepentant, hoping for pardon until the end. The account reveals a sombre mass execution marked by silence, resignation, and the harsh realities of early modern justice.
Quote of the Day: Transparency
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage explores neutrality and openness: “A neutral stance may appear calm, but only a transparent one leaves ample space for understanding.” A thoughtful reflection on how clarity and honesty create the conditions for genuine understanding, beyond the quiet surface of neutrality.
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