In the streets of Regency London,the young servant, Elizabeth Fenning, faced a sinister charge - attempted murder by poison. Accused of lacing her employer’s dinner with arsenic, the 21-year-old cook quickly found herself trapped in an increasingly lopsided courtroom, where any hope of the justice she had held whilst awaiting trial seemed to recede with every new witness brought to the stand. The case caused widespread public consternation and outrage that lasted months, coming close to sparking riots in the streets, as the debate raged on, that never truly ended.

SOURCES

Clarke, Kate (2020) Trial of Elizabeth Fenning. Mango Books, London, UK.

Watkins, John (1815) The Important Results of an Elaborate Investigation into the Mysterious Case of Elizabeth Fenning. William Hone, London, UK.

The Globe (1815) The Globe. Sat 25 March 1815, p4. London, UK.

The Globe (1815) The Globe. Mon 27 March 1815, p4. London, UK.

The Star (1815) Charge Of Poisoning Family. Tues 28 March 1815, p4. London, UK.

The Globe (1815) Charge OF Poisoning A Whole Family. Fri 31 March 1815, p1. London, UK.

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