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BEDLAM PATIENT NICHOLSON
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BEDLAM PATIENT NICHOLSON
Mrs Margaret Nicholson who, after attempting to stab King George III, was sent to Bedlam for life. (profile, in hat) Date: 1786
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Media ID 20141203
© Bubblepunk
1786 Attempting Bedlam Insanity Margaret Nicholson Patient Patients Stab
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This evocative portrait captures the enigmatic figure of Mrs. Margaret Nicholson, a woman who made history for her audacious attempt to assassinate King George III in 1786. Born into a respectable family, Margaret's descent into madness began after the death of her husband and the loss of her fortune. Consumed by delusions and paranoia, she became convinced that the King was persecuting her and that she must take action to protect herself and her family. On May 15, 1786, Margaret gained access to the King during a royal procession in London and, brandishing a knife, made a desperate lunge at him. The attempt was thwarted, and Margaret was quickly apprehended and taken to the notorious Bethlem Royal Hospital, commonly known as Bedlam, for the rest of her days. In this portrait, taken just a few years after the incident, Margaret is depicted in a profile view, wearing a simple hat and a plain, high-necked gown. Her expression is somber and contemplative, with a hint of defiance in her eyes. The artist has captured the essence of a woman who, despite her tragic circumstances, retains a sense of dignity and individuality. Margaret's story is a poignant reminder of the stigma and misunderstanding that surrounded mental illness in the late 18th century. Bedlam, which was infamous for its harsh treatment of patients, was seen as a place of confinement for the criminally insane rather than a place of healing and care. Margaret's case, along with others like it, helped to bring attention to the need for more humane and effective treatment of the mentally ill.
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