During Victoria's long reign there were seven "incidents" which might be considered assassination attempts. In reality, most of these were clearly not serious attempts on her life. Rather they appear to have been aimed at bringing either an individual or a cause into public prominence. The first attempt took place on the early evening of 10 June 1840.
Edward Oxford attempts to kill the Queen
It must have been a terrible and frightening occasion when 18-year-old Edward Oxford attempted to kill the four months pregnant, 21 year old, Queen while she was riding in an open carriage with Prince Albert. Oxford fired twice, but either he missed or the guns were loaded with powder but without bullets.
Victoria was not so naive as to be unaware that there was a deep well of discontent and disaffection amongst her subjects. Her marriage to Albert had not met with universal favour and her personal popularity had been eroded by the Flora Hastings affair.
