On 21 February 1787, Charles Shaw was tried at the Old Bailey for robbing John Hughes near St Paul’s Churchyard. Accused of tripping him and stealing a silver watch worth forty shillings, Shaw was found guilty of highway robbery and executed at Newgate Prison on 26 April 1787.
Tag Archives: the Sage Page
Advice of the Day: Dog Walking Authority
The Sage shares dog walking wisdom: let the dog choose the route — you’re just there for company. A funny “Advice of the Day” about surrendering control and following the leash.
Quote of the Day: A quiet night in
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage celebrates the value of staying in: “A quiet night in is not missing out — it is catching up with yourself.” A warm reminder that rest, reflection, and silence are not signs of absence, but necessary moments of reconnection.
This Day in History: 20 February 1771 — Richard Mortis and the Moonlight Ambush
On 20 February 1771, Richard Mortis was tried at the Old Bailey for shooting Thomas Parkinson in a moonlit field after a dispute over poaching. Found guilty of willful and malicious shooting, Mortis was sentenced to death and executed on 27 March 1771, reflecting the harsh capital laws of Georgian England.
This Day in History: 18 February 1775 — John Smith and the Fatal Return
On 18 February 1775, John Smith was tried at the Old Bailey for returning from transportation before his fourteen-year term had expired. Originally sentenced to death for highway robbery and reprieved, he was again condemned to die before being transported once more, on the eve of the American Revolutionary War.
This Day in History: 13 February 1706 — Peter Blake and the Crime of Bigamy
On 13 February 1706, Peter Blake married his first wife in Salisbury. Sixteen years later, he was tried at the Old Bailey for bigamy after marrying again while she was still alive. Found guilty in 1722, he was sentenced to be burnt in the hand, a common branding punishment of the era.
Quote of the Day: Wating for the postman
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage captures the quiet drama of anticipation: “The sound of the letterbox is the smallest drumroll in life.” A warm reflection on expectation, imagination, and the small everyday moments that briefly pause time with the promise of possibility.
Advice of the Day: Valentine’s Card Courage
The Sage shares bold Valentine’s Day advice: choose the card that makes you slightly nervous. A funny “Advice of the Day” about romance, risk, and dangerous stationery.
Advice of the Day: Romantic Escalation
The Sage offers bold Valentine’s advice: ask what their ex used to buy — then go bigger. A hilarious “Advice of the Day” about romance, competition, and risky confidence.
Quote of the Day: Hanging a picture reveals more about the hanger than the art itself
Today’s Quote of the Day from The Sage reflects on perfectionism at home: “No picture is ever straight enough for the person who hung it.” A humorous reminder that we’re often our own harshest critics — and that sometimes stepping back is all it takes to see things clearly.
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