Assasinations and attitudes towards them

[Kathryn]

While this can never compare
to the number of Kings/Queens/PM's that
may have been killed in the UK's
history, we have a short history and a
great many attempts.




Actually I'm not entirely sure that's true. There really haven't been all
that many Kings die unnatural deaths (and no Queens) and only one Prime
Minister has ever been assasinated. Heck I'm a medieval historian (and that
s the period that is probably most bloody) and I can still count on one hand
the number of monarchs that I can remember who have been killed. Going back
from the present day the first one I can think of is Charles I (and that was
a judicial execution), Richard III, Princes in the Tower, Edward II (death
arranged by his wife through judicial application of a red hot poker
somewhere unpleasent), Harold ... Seriously going all the way back to 1066
that's all that spring to mind - who have I missed, anyone? I think I'm
missing one of the Henrys, am I?


And none of those were really what I'd call assasinations since two were
killed in battle, one was executed for treason and two had deaths arranged
by family members. There have been a great many *attempts* mind you, for
about a thousand years plotting was practically a national past time for all
of those rich enough to have spare time in which to indulge in it and heirs,
siblings and other relatives bite the dust with distressing regularity
throughout history.


Recently - well people over here just don't do that sort of thing anymore,
the most they tend to do now is invade the House of Commons or throw purple
flour (or eggs at ministers). The only serious attempts at doing anything
that I can recall was the attempted kidnapping of Princess Anne in the 70s
and the bombing of the Brighton Grand. .

And I'm still unconvinced that the yearbook thing requires *any*
investigation - beyond the possible investigation of the person complaining
for wasting police time (or whatever you call wasting Secret Service time).
PLus how effective can all this investigation actally be when someone can
still get through and throw a grenade at the President?
 
 K

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