King Charles V, left his palace on the afternoon of March 3, 1740. His blanket of security, expanded after the recent republican uprising, surrounded him. He continued his movement done London’s main street, where a dwindling crowd gathered to view the monarch. Charles was unpopular among the people, blamed for the poverty and instability in the British Isles. Dissent continued to grow throughout the ranks of the government, as parliament supporters continued to separate themselves from the king.
Charles continued to find himself more and more isolated. He and his handful of advisors would run the nation, ignoring the plight of the people and the future of England. Conspiracies continued flourish, defections occurring daily. Charles’s sons began to distance themselves from their father.
Sunset was approaching as the king passed by the river Thames. Outside the old Parliament building, he paused to watch the sunset. Something was happening. A few of Charles’s bodyguards approached the monarch, and told him they are must be moving along for his safety. Charles complied, knowing that recent unrest was explosively dangerous. Slowly they moved across the bridge over the Thames, their every move was watched by rebels in nearby buildings and disguised as citizens. They knew that they had to make a move; it may be their only chance.
The signal, a woman dropping a pot in the road, was seen by one of Charles’s bodyguards. His name was Alexander Thayer, a double agent. He rubbed his arm with another body guard, and so he alerted another. The soldiers halted the king’s carriage. Surrounding citizens took notice.
“What is the meaning of this delay!” Exclaimed the king.
“I’m sorry father.” And Prince William stabbed Charles with a dagger…