Episode Two: The Bankrupt

Dr Bob Nicholson explores police archives and rarely seen
documents to uncover the story of the second assassin -
19-year-old John Francis, who gave up a successful career as a
carpenter in the West End of London to become a tobacconist. The
business soon failed and after his landlord caught him stealing
money, Francis bought a pistol and on the 29th May 1842, he fired
at the Queen outside Buckingham Palace. Prince Albert spotted him
from their carriage, but none of the guards saw Francis, and so
he escaped. When informed of the attempt, the Prime Minister
Robert Peel urged Victoria to remain in the palace until the
mysterious assassin had been caught, but she had no intention of
agreeing to the plan. The Queen wanted to ride out as usual the
following day - and would let herself be the bait. Bob Nicholson
finds out what happens next, and to determine a motive, delves
into John Francis’ past.