Margaret Clark (arsonist) facts for kids
Margaret Clark (died 1680), also known as Margret Clark, was an English servant. She was arrested and executed for setting fire to her employer's house in Southwark, London. Her reasons for doing this were shared in small books called pamphlets after her death.
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Margaret Clark's Life
Margaret Clark was born in Croydon, Surrey, England. She worked as a servant in different homes. By January 1680, she was working for the family of Peter Delanoy. He was a successful dyer who lived in Southwark, a part of London.
The Fire Incident
On February 1, 1680, the Delanoy family was away at their country home in Lee. Three fires were started in their Southwark house. People nearby quickly put out the fires. Margaret Clark was arrested that night because she was acting strangely, which made people suspicious.
At first, she said she didn't do it. But then, she quickly admitted to starting the fires. She claimed that a man named John Satterthwayt had asked her to let him into the house to set it on fire. Clark said he promised to pay her £2,000. This was a very large amount of money back then.
Satterthwayt was arrested the next day based on her description. He was a soldier for the Duke of York. Investigators were suspicious because the Duke (who later became James II of England) was Catholic. At that time, there were many worries and tensions about different religions in England.
Trial and Outcome
Margaret Clark and John Satterthwayt were both held and went to trial. Their trial took place at Kingston assizes on March 13. Margaret Clark was found guilty and sentenced to death.
John Satterthwayt, however, convinced the jury that he was Protestant. His fellow soldiers also said they were drinking with him in different pubs on the night of the fire. Because of this, he was found not guilty and set free.
Margaret Clark's Final Story
Margaret Clark was put to death by hanging on March 22, 1680. She chose not to ask for a pardon, which is a way to be forgiven for a crime. In her last hours, many people asked her why she had done it.
As she stood waiting for her execution, Clark told the people watching that she had written a pamphlet. In this pamphlet, she explained her side of the story, saying she was only partly to blame. This pamphlet was likely written down for her, and the high sheriff made sure it was published after she died.
The pamphlet was called The true confession of Margret Clark. Another pamphlet was also published in 1680, titled Warning for Servants, and a Caution to Protestants. Both of these writings shared Clark's argument that Satterthwayt had bribed her. She claimed it was part of a Catholic plan to burn down London. She also said that "Pride and Sabbath breaking hath been my downfall," meaning she felt her own mistakes led to her downfall. John Satterthwayt also shared his side of the story in his own pamphlet.
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