John Frith (assailant) facts for kids

John Frith (born around 1760) was an English man who thought he was St Paul, an important figure from the Bible.

John Frith and the King

On January 21, 1790, John Frith threw a stone at the carriage of King George III. The King was on his way to the State Opening of Parliament, a big event where he officially opened the country's law-making assembly.

Why Did Frith Throw the Stone?

Before this, Frith had sent many letters, called petitions, to the Parliament. He wrote about his rights as a citizen. He felt he had been unfairly forced to leave his job as an army officer. He blamed Jeffrey Amherst, saying Amherst had made up stories that he was mentally unwell. Frith even claimed that "supernatural agents" were sent by Amherst to whisper things to him.

Since his letters were ignored, Frith might have thrown the stone to get the attention he believed he deserved. He did not want to hurt the King. He just wanted people to listen to his problems.

What Happened Next?

When questioned, Frith said he did not want to harm the King. He only wanted to draw attention to his situation. However, he also claimed that people saw him as a special leader. He also said that the moon's position made it hard for him to sleep near large buildings.

Frith was taken to Newgate Prison. He tried to explain that his "Christ-like powers" helped him fight the voices he heard. Because of his unusual statements, he was declared unfit to stand trial due to mental illness. This meant he could not be tried in court.

He was supposed to be sent to a hospital for people with mental health issues. But he stayed at Newgate Prison. He had occasional "fits of rage" there until December 1791. Then, he was moved to Bethlem Royal Hospital, which was a famous mental health hospital.

The King's Reaction

Like an earlier event involving another person who attacked the King, Margaret Nicholson, King George III was seen as forgiving and understanding. He showed kindness towards someone accused of a crime who was also struggling with mental illness.