This Day in History – 23rd July 1753

The Gin-Fuelled Quarrel That Ended on the Gallows

On 23rd July 1753, William Peers was executed at Tyburn for the murder of his wife, Margaret Peers, after what began as an ordinary domestic disagreement descended into irreversible tragedy. Unlike many Old Bailey executions involving highwaymen or professional criminals, this was the story of an ageing working couple whose lives were destroyed in a single drunken evening.

Peers, a 52-year-old journeyman baker from Surrey, had spent most of his life earning an honest living. Contemporary accounts described him as a simple man with limited education and little worldly understanding, but generally considered hardworking and respectable. He and Margaret had been married for several years and, despite the occasional quarrel, neighbours believed they lived together no worse than many working-class couples struggling through difficult circumstances in eighteenth-century London.

On the day of the murder, William had finished work and went to collect Margaret from her place of employment so they could spend the evening together. His intention, according to his later account, was simply to enjoy each other’s company. Instead, after returning home, the pair decided to continue the evening in a nearby public house, where alcohol transformed a domestic disagreement into catastrophe.

The quarrel centred on gin. William believed his wife had already drunk enough and refused to buy her another measure. Margaret, he claimed, became angry and struck him several times. Whether this account was entirely truthful could never be known, but witnesses later agreed that shortly afterwards only the couple remained alone in the public room. By the time anyone entered, Margaret had suffered a fatal knife wound.

William initially insisted the stabbing had been accidental, claiming Margaret had fallen against the knife while striking him. The explanation convinced neither the Coroner’s Jury nor the Old Bailey. As no one else had been present, and the first witness into the room found William still holding the knife, the jury concluded he alone had inflicted the fatal wound and convicted him of murder.

One particularly haunting detail recorded by the Ordinary concerned an incident just weeks before the killing. Margaret had spent an entire Sunday away from home, returning late and heavily intoxicated. After William complained, she reportedly replied:

“Let me die when I will, you will not live long after.”

Following her death, William regarded those words as a grim prophecy fulfilled.

Unlike many condemned prisoners who maintained their innocence until the end, William’s position gradually changed. Although he could never clearly explain exactly how the fatal wound had been inflicted, he eventually accepted that his own hand had caused Margaret’s death. He admitted that uncontrolled passion had overwhelmed his judgement, declaring that his life was a just payment for the blood he had shed.

The Ordinary of Newgate portrayed William as a man whose greatest failing was not innate wickedness but an inability to master his temper. He lamented a lifetime wasted through idleness and poor judgement, telling his spiritual adviser that what troubled him most was not death itself, but the shame and scandal he would leave behind.

On 23rd July 1753, William Peers was taken to Tyburn alongside John Stockdale and Christopher Johnson. After execution, Peers’ body was delivered for anatomical dissection, a further punishment reserved for convicted murderers under the Murder Act, intended to add disgrace even after death and deter others from committing similar crimes.

More than two and a half centuries later, the case remains a sobering reminder that many Old Bailey murder trials were not tales of hardened criminals, but of ordinary people whose inability to control a moment of anger ended two lives instead of one.

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This Day in History – 22nd July 1895

In the early hours of 7 July 1895, what began as a simple walk home along London’s Edgware Road ended in a violent street robbery that demonstrated how organised gangs preyed upon lone pedestrians in Victorian London. By the time the case reached the Old Bailey on 22 July 1895, four young defendants stood accused of carrying out a coordinated attack that left their victim battered, bloodied, and robbed of his watch.

Just after midnight, Arthur Robert Mays was approached by Annie Oakley and another woman. Attempting to avoid any conversation, he stepped into the roadway, only for Alec Pearson to strike him violently from behind, knocking him to the ground. Within seconds John Edwards and Thomas Evans rushed in, repeatedly kicking and punching the helpless victim while others crowded around. During the assault, Mays’ watch was removed from its chain and handed to Pearson before the gang fled.

Although dazed and bleeding, Mays immediately gave chase. Edwards deliberately blocked him, knocking him to the ground once more while shouting, “You shall not take my mate; I will do time for him.” When Police Constable Edwin Potter arrived, Mays pointed out the attackers, but the gang attempted to escape again. As Edwards was being arrested, Annie Oakley struck Mays from behind, knocking him beneath the path of a passing cab. Fortunately, the alert cab driver managed to stop before the wheels could run over him.

Independent witnesses painted a remarkably consistent picture. Painter Edward Henry Spooner saw Pearson knock Mays into the road before Edwards and Evans ran in to kick him while he lay on the ground. Coffee-stall owner Frederick James Real, whose stall stood opposite the attack, confirmed seeing the men stoop over the victim and scramble through his pockets before fleeing. Their evidence strongly supported Mays’ account of what had happened.

When arrested, Edwards showed little remorse. At the police station he openly admitted kicking the victim, declaring, “Yes, I kicked you, and I will kick you again.” While being escorted away he also warned Oakley not to “know nothing about the ticker”—Victorian slang for the stolen watch.

At trial the defendants attempted to portray the incident as nothing more than a drunken street fight. Pearson claimed Mays had started the trouble, Edwards insisted he had actually helped the victim, Evans denied taking part in the robbery, and Oakley denied striking anyone. Their version of events failed to convince either the jury or the witnesses, whose accounts closely matched each other throughout the proceedings.

All four defendants were found guilty. Edwards, Evans and Pearson each received terms of hard labour, but the court imposed an additional punishment that reflected Victorian attitudes towards violent robbery: twenty strokes of the cat-o’-nine-tails. Edwards received fourteen months’ imprisonment, Evans fifteen months, Pearson twelve months, while Annie Oakley was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

The case offers a vivid glimpse into London’s street crime during the late Victorian era. It also illustrates how quickly a seemingly chance encounter could become a coordinated robbery, and how the testimony of independent eyewitnesses could dismantle even the most determined attempts to deny responsibility.

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Advice of the Day: Trusting Dogs

Trust dogs. They always know who to stay away from.

the sage

Dogs possess instincts far beyond human understanding. They can detect fear, kindness, hidden sausages, and apparently whether your postman deserves happiness. The Wise Sage therefore recommends outsourcing all major life decisions to the nearest canine.

Meeting someone for the first time? Don’t waste hours getting to know them. Simply introduce them to a dog and stand back. If the dog wags its tail, congratulations—you’ve found someone worth talking to. If it growls, barks, or quietly walks into another room, cancel the wedding, decline the business proposal, and return their Christmas present unopened.

The system also works in reverse. Should a dog take an immediate liking to somebody you already dislike, simply assume the dog has been temporarily distracted by the possibility of biscuits. Even the finest judge of character has the occasional off day.

For maximum accuracy, consult several dogs before making any important decision. Labradors are ideal for optimism, Border Collies excel at overthinking, and Chihuahuas should only be used when deciding who to declare war on.

Cats, by comparison, offer little practical guidance. They dislike everyone equally and would happily watch civilisation collapse, provided it didn’t interrupt their nap.

If a dog refuses to enter a particular house, don’t ask questions—just keep walking. Likewise, if every dog in the park suddenly decides to leave at the same time, it is probably wise to join them.

Finally, if your own dog starts barking at your reflection in the patio doors, don’t panic. It’s probably just protecting you from yourself… again.

As always, The Sage accepts no responsibility for cancelled relationships, abandoned dinner parties, or discovering that your dog simply dislikes people wearing hats.

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Quote of the Day: Success

“Success is not measured by how often you hit the standard, but by whether your standards survive success.”
— The Sage

Many people spend years striving to reach a particular goal, believing that success itself is the ultimate achievement. Yet The Sage reminds us that arriving at the summit is only half the journey. What truly matters is whether the principles that guided us there remain intact once success has been achieved.

It is surprisingly easy to lower our standards after we’ve “made it.” Recognition, comfort or influence can tempt us to become less patient, less generous or less honest than we once were. The Sage believes that real character is revealed not during the struggle to succeed, but in the choices we continue to make when no one is expecting anything more from us.

Success comes and goes throughout life, but integrity has a habit of leaving a far longer legacy. If your standards remain as high on your best days as they were on your hardest days, then you’ve achieved something far more valuable than success alone—you’ve earned the quiet satisfaction of remaining true to yourself.

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Quote of the Day: Courtesy

“Salvation is rarely found by those who expect to be served before they offer courtesy.”
— The Sage

The Sage has always found it curious that many people seek life’s greatest rewards while overlooking its simplest virtues. Courtesy is often dismissed as old-fashioned or insignificant, yet it quietly shapes every meaningful encounter. A greeting, a thank you, a patient word, or an unexpected kindness rarely changes the headlines, but they often change the day of the person receiving them.

He observes that the desire to be served is natural enough. We all hope to be noticed, appreciated, and understood. But when that expectation comes before our willingness to extend the same generosity to others, disappointment usually follows. The Sage suggests that the finest relationships, communities, and even personal fulfilment begin not with asking what we deserve, but with considering what we can freely offer.

With gentle wisdom, The Sage reminds us that salvation need not be understood only as a destination beyond this life. Sometimes it is found in rescuing ourselves from pride, impatience, and entitlement. Courtesy asks very little of us, yet it has the remarkable habit of bringing out the very best in everyone it touches.

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Advice of the Day: Taking the Blame

If you do something bad, make sure there is someone else around to blame.

the sage

Nobody enjoys admitting they’ve made a mistake. Fortunately, the Wise Sage has developed a far simpler solution: never be the only person present. Whether you’ve broken a vase, eaten the last biscuit, or accidentally reversed into the neighbour’s wheelie bin, having a convenient witness dramatically increases your options.

Preparation is everything. Before attempting anything even remotely questionable, invite friends, relatives or unsuspecting neighbours to stand nearby. The more innocent they appear, the more believable the accusation. Pets are also useful, although cats are generally considered guilty by default and dogs are far too pleased to defend themselves.

Timing is crucial. The moment disaster strikes, react before anyone else has processed what happened. Point decisively at the nearest bystander and confidently announce, “I saw the whole thing!” Confidence is far more persuasive than evidence. Never hesitate. Hesitation is practically an admission of guilt.

For advanced practitioners, keep a child within shouting distance. Adults instinctively assume children are responsible for almost anything involving noise, broken objects or mysterious stains. If no child is available, loudly muttering, “I told him this would happen,” while shaking your head in disappointment often achieves similar results.

If your chosen scapegoat denies everything, remain calm. Simply look disappointed and say, “I’m not angry… I’m just surprised.” This shifts the burden of proof entirely onto them while making you appear remarkably reasonable.

Should all else fail, blame the wind. The wind has an impeccable record of refusing interviews.

As always, The Sage accepts no responsibility for family arguments, cancelled Christmas invitations, or eventually being blamed for absolutely everything yourself.

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This Day in History – 21st July 1902

The Edwardian “Hit-and-Run” That Ended in Acquittal

Road traffic accidents are often thought of as a modern problem, but on Easter Monday 1902, London’s busy streets witnessed what would today be described as a serious hit-and-run collision. At the centre of the case was Charles Fish, a hansom cab driver whose horse-drawn vehicle struck a married couple before continuing down the road without stopping. The dramatic Old Bailey trial that followed became less about the collision itself than the difficult question of whether the driver was criminally responsible for his actions.

John and Annie Fitzgerald were crossing King William Street, near London Bridge, shortly before eleven o’clock at night when disaster struck. Without warning, a fast-moving hansom cab knocked them both to the ground. John suffered catastrophic injuries, fracturing the base of his skull and remaining unconscious for two days. Annie escaped with severe bruising to her ribs, hip and knee, but remembered how suddenly the cab appeared and how neither of them had any chance to avoid it.

Several witnesses immediately gave chase. Police Constable George Bayley saw the cab travelling quickly before it struck the couple and noted that it continued along Eastcheap without stopping despite repeated shouts. Plain-clothes officer Frank Knight leapt onto the moving cab and finally brought the horse under control some eighty yards further on. Both officers believed Charles Fish was drunk, describing him as smelling strongly of alcohol, appearing confused, and failing to respond when ordered to stop. Independent witness John William Sallabank also believed the cab was travelling unusually fast and thought the driver even whipped the horse after the collision.

The injuries proved devastating. Surgeon Dr George Hilliard told the court that John Fitzgerald’s fractured skull later resulted in mental illness requiring admission to the workhouse infirmary. He permanently lost much of his hearing, while his wife required lengthy treatment for multiple painful injuries.

Fish, however, denied being drunk. Giving evidence himself, he claimed he had suffered what he believed was a sudden fit while crossing London Bridge and remembered nothing of the collision or the pursuit that followed. His defence then produced an extraordinary number of witnesses. Fellow cab drivers, employers, friends and relatives all testified that Fish had long been regarded as sober, reliable and hardworking. Many had personally witnessed him collapse into unexplained “fainting fits” over a number of years, while members of his family described similar attacks affecting both his mother and sister.

The turning point came with expert medical evidence. Two respected surgeons concluded that Fish was almost certainly suffering from petit mal epilepsy, a condition little understood at the time. They explained that sufferers could appear intoxicated while actually being temporarily unconscious of their actions, continuing routine movements such as holding reins or walking without understanding what they were doing. They also stated that such attacks were easily mistaken—even by doctors—for drunkenness.

Faced with conflicting evidence between the police officers’ belief that Fish was drunk and the compelling medical testimony suggesting epilepsy, the jury decided there was reasonable doubt. Charles Fish was therefore acquitted.

Today, the case stands as one of Britain’s earliest courtroom examinations of the difficult relationship between medical illness, driving, and criminal responsibility—issues that remain highly relevant more than a century later.

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This Day in History – 21 May 1722

Execution at Tyburn: Thomas Smith & John Hawkins

On this day in 1722, Thomas Smith and John Hawkins were executed at Tyburn following convictions for violent robbery on the highway—crimes that struck at the very heart of public safety in early 18th-century London.

Both men came from very different backgrounds, yet were united by a shared descent into opportunistic crime, driven by restlessness, ambition, and ultimately, poor judgement.

Thomas Smith – A Drifter Turned Robber

Thomas Smith, around 44 years of age, was convicted of assaulting John Prat under Ludgate and robbing him of his hat and peruke. The crime itself was brazen rather than sophisticated.

Smith had approached the elderly victim before suddenly snatching the wig and hat from his head, fleeing with the goods concealed upon his person. His escape, however, was short-lived. He was quickly pursued and apprehended, with the stolen wig discovered hidden in his clothing.

His life, as he himself described it, had been marked by instability. Never settled in any trade, he drifted between occupations—servant, rag trader, and even, by his own admission, a provider of false testimony in criminal cases.

Despite professing religious conviction, his beliefs appeared inconsistent and unsettled. At times defensive, at others evasive, he offered little by way of explanation for his actions beyond a life poorly governed and lacking direction.

John Hawkins – Ambition, Crime, and the Mail Robbery

John Hawkins’s case was far more serious and far-reaching.

A man of 28, Hawkins had once held respectable employment, even serving as a butler in a reputable household. Yet beneath this surface lay a restless ambition—what he himself described as a desire for “great riches and splendour”—which ultimately led him into criminal enterprise.

He stood accused as part of a coordinated gang responsible for the robbery of the Bristol mail, a crime of national significance. The plan was elaborate:

  • The gang tracked the mail coach route
  • Disguised themselves to conceal identity
  • Intercepted the post-boy in the early hours
  • Bound both him and a companion to a tree
  • Carried off the mail bags to be rifled for valuables

Testimony revealed that Hawkins played a strategic role—waiting at a distance due to his distinctive appearance, before joining in the division and destruction of the stolen correspondence.

The gang extracted banknotes and valuables, discarding the rest. Their actions disrupted not just private correspondence, but the functioning of national communication and commerce.

The Evidence and Trial

The prosecution’s case rested heavily on the testimony of an accomplice, who described the planning and execution of the robbery in striking detail.

Witnesses confirmed:

  • The prisoners’ movements along the route
  • Their presence at inns along the way
  • Their return to London with horses matching descriptions
  • Their suspicious behaviour after the crime

Despite attempts to discredit witnesses and provide alibis, the evidence was overwhelming. The jury returned a verdict of guilty.

Behaviour After Conviction

Following his conviction, Hawkins initially reacted with defiance—challenging the court and jury, and asserting irregularities in the proceedings. Yet this bravado did not last.

In private, his tone softened. He expressed:

  • Acceptance of his fate
  • Forgiveness toward those who testified against him
  • A growing awareness of the gravity of his situation

By the time of his final days, he was described as deeply affected, reflective, and fearful, particularly as execution approached.

Smith, by contrast, remained a more ambiguous figure—less emotionally documented, but equally resigned to the consequences of his actions.

Execution at Tyburn

On the morning of 21 May, both men were taken from Newgate to Tyburn, where large crowds gathered to witness the spectacle.

As was customary:

  • Prayers were offered
  • Final exhortations were given by clergy
  • The condemned were urged to repent and prepare their souls

Hawkins, in particular, showed visible signs of distress—his composure faltering as the reality of death drew near. Tears and solemn devotion marked his final hours.

Shortly thereafter, both men were hanged.

Context and Reflection

These cases illustrate two distinct paths to the gallows:

  • Thomas Smith, a drifter undone by petty but reckless crime
  • John Hawkins, a man of ambition who turned to organised robbery in pursuit of wealth

Together, they reflect the harsh realities of early 18th-century justice, where even a single act of highway robbery could result in death.

Their stories also serve as a reminder of a broader truth often repeated in the Ordinary’s Accounts:
that lives not governed by discipline or restraint could, with alarming speed, descend into ruin.

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Advice of the Day: Choosing Swimwear

Don’t choose swimwear for comfort or practicality—choose something that raises immediate concern among strangers.

the sage

Swimwear is often selected based on fit, function, or modesty. The Wise Sage considers this a missed opportunity. The beach, after all, is a public stage, and your attire should reflect a bold disregard for expectation and basic engineering principles.

Begin by selecting a size that is confidently incorrect. Too small suggests optimism; too large suggests mystery. Either way, you will create intrigue. Straps should appear to be doing more work than they were designed for, and anything described as “secure” should be treated with suspicion.

Colour choice is equally important. Avoid subtlety. Instead, opt for patterns that can be seen from space—neon zigzags, clashing animal prints, or anything that appears to vibrate slightly when viewed directly. Ideally, your swimwear should make lifeguards uneasy before you even enter the water.

Functionality should be reduced to an absolute minimum. Complicated ties, unnecessary buckles, and inexplicable cut-outs all contribute to what professionals call “aquatic unpredictability.” If you can’t put it on without consulting a diagram, you are on the right track.

For added confidence, accessorise poorly. A snorkel without a mask, flippers on dry land, or a swimming cap worn backwards all signal that you are not to be questioned. Bonus points for carrying an inflatable object that serves no clear purpose.

When entering the water, do so with commitment. Hesitation suggests doubt, and doubt leads to adjustment, which must be avoided at all costs. Once in, remain still for a moment and let the outfit settle into whatever arrangement it deems appropriate.

Finally, remember that confidence is everything. If something appears to have gone wrong, behave as though it is entirely intentional. Onlookers will assume they are simply not familiar with the latest trends.

As always, The Sage accepts no responsibility for wardrobe malfunctions, startled beachgoers, or being asked to leave the premises “for everyone’s safety.”

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Quote of the Day: Staying on Course

“We try to prevent failure by taking stock, yet still find ways to throw ourselves off course.”
— The Sage

The Sage has often observed that people are quite good at preparation. Lists are made, plans are drawn, contingencies considered. We take stock of our situation, measure our options, and convince ourselves that with enough foresight, failure can be neatly avoided. There is comfort in this ritual — a sense of control, however temporary.

He notes, however, that the unexpected rarely comes from outside. More often, it arrives from within — a moment of impatience, distraction, or quiet doubt. Despite all preparation, we still manage to throw ourselves off course, sometimes with impressive efficiency. The Sage suggests that this is not a flaw in planning, but a feature of being human.

With gentle humour, he reminds us that life is not undone by a lack of preparation alone, but by the curious ways we override it. Taking stock may steady the path, but it cannot walk it for us. And so, he concludes, wisdom lies not only in preparing well, but in recognising our remarkable ability to ignore that preparation at precisely the wrong moment.

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