Drama. Drama. Drama. Some people thrive on it…. others avoid. Yet, in our current culture, it seems to be everywhere. In real life situations, people over-dramatize situations. I think this is fueled because we see it in all forms of mass media, from TV to Twitter. Heck, even the weather forecasters around these parts get their panties all in a bunch about things. Oh, the drama.
Yet. I think in some ways, this has been going on in various cultures throughout time. The Gladiators. Witch Burnings. And on.
But tonight’s story takes place in England. In 1807. A true story indeed.
It starts with an argument, between a woman and a man. Imagine THAT.
Elizabeth Godfrey was her name. She lived in an apartment in the Marylebone area of London. Next door, lived a man name Richard Price, and a woman of ill-repute. Apparently there was some sort of disagreement between them, and Richard struck Elizabeth, while out in the hallway. It seemed to be the end of it.
But later that night, Elizabeth knocked on her neighbors door. The hooker answered, and Elizabeth told the woman to get Richard. So Dick comes to the door, and Elizabeth stabs him in the eye with a pocket knife. Yowza.
Old Dick pulls the blade out of his eye. But wouldn’t you know it? A few days later he dies. And guess who is convicted of murder. Yep. none other than the stabber…..Elizabeth The Knife Godfrey.
On the day Elizabeth was sentenced to be hanged, two others were slated for execution also. Their names were Owen Haggerty and John Holloway. (Owen and John had murdered another man some years ealier…. and almost got away with it. But their partner ratted them out. And off to the nooses they went.)
So. On the day the three were sentenced to be hanged, the public came to watch. Drama, drama, drama. Nearly 40,000 people showed up for the event at the grounds outside Newgate and the Old Bailey, near London. Every inch of the grounds was packed.
Well… when the three were loaded up to the gallows, the crowd pressed closer to watch. Unfortunately, these things start at the back and move forward. The pressed nearer and nearer. They began to trample. When it was all said and done…. 27 people were crushed to death, including many women and children, and more than 70 were injured.
So my guess is…. when in doubt…. avoid the drama.
It may keep someone from wringing your neck…. or trampling on your back.
Or even knifing you in the eye to begin with.