More Events at This Date - https://bagtownclans.com/index.php/thisday/march-2/

Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I'm your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we turn our attention to March 2, 1882, when a Scotsman named Roderick Maclean made an infamous attempt on the life of Queen Victoria. This was not the first attempt on the Queen’s life—far from it—but it would be the last. And if you’re curious about other fascinating events that happened on this day in history, be sure to check out my blog at https://bagtownclans.com/thisday. The link will be in the description!

By the early 1880s, Queen Victoria had been on the throne for over 40 years. She was a deeply respected figure in Britain, though not without her critics. Her long period of mourning after the death of her beloved husband, Prince Albert, in 1861 had distanced her from public life, leading to frustration among some of her subjects. But by the 1880s, she had re-emerged, undertaking public appearances once more, and remained a symbol of imperial power.

On March 2, 1882, Victoria was in Windsor, returning from a visit to the royal station. As her carriage made its way through the town, a lone figure emerged from the crowd. Roderick Maclean, a 28-year-old Scotsman, raised a pistol and fired a shot at the Queen’s passing carriage. Fortunately, his aim was poor, and the bullet missed entirely. Before he could attempt a second shot, he was tackled to the ground by bystanders, including a group of Eton schoolboys who were quick to act. Maclean was immediately arrested and taken into custody.

But who was Roderick Maclean, and why did he attempt to kill the Queen? Unlike previous would-be assassins, who had political motivations or were driven by anger at the monarchy, Maclean’s reasoning was more personal—and, frankly, bizarre. He was reportedly a deeply troubled individual who had spent years drifting through life, struggling with mental illness. One theory suggests that Maclean’s resentment stemmed from a dismissive response he had received after sending a poem to the Queen. Feeling insulted by the lack of recognition, he sought revenge in the most extreme way possible.

Maclean was put on trial, and his case took an unusual turn. He was declared insane and found not guilty of attempted murder, though he was sentenced to indefinite confinement in an asylum. This verdict outraged Queen Victoria, who felt strongly that an attack on the monarch—successful or not—should always result in severe punishment. In response, she pressured Parliament to change the law. The result was the Trial of Lunatics Act 1883, which introduced the verdict of "guilty but insane," ensuring that future cases like Maclean’s would not result in what appeared to be an acquittal.

While Maclean was the last person to attempt to assassinate Queen Victoria, he was certainly not the first. Throughout her long reign, she survived at least eight assassination attempts. Some were made by disgruntled citizens, others by individuals suffering from severe mental illness. But none succeeded, and the Queen would go on to reign until her death in 1901, securing her place as one of Britain’s most enduring monarchs.

The case of Roderick Maclean is a reminder of how fragile security could be, even for a Queen. It also highlights how perceptions of mental illness and criminal responsibility were evolving in the Victorian era. While Maclean spent the rest of his life in an institution, his name is remembered in history as the man who made one last, unsuccessful attempt to change the course of the British monarchy.

Thank you for joining me today on This Day in Scottish History. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out my blog for more historical events at https://bagtownclans.com/thisday. Tune in tomorrow for another journey through Scotland’s remarkable past. I'm Colin MacDonald—Haste Ye Back!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bagtown.substack.com