His crimes discovered, he lost everything and turned increasingly to the bottle. At his death, 'The former millionaire’s effects were valued at less than £200'. 3/3

The problem was, he hadn't done it entirely legally. Instead, he'd cooked the books, used intimidation and his position as an MP to destroy the competition while promoting his own businesses, and was found to have embezzled £750,000 (approaching £100 million today). 2/3

In the early 1850s he joined a travelling circus after developing a crush on one of the performers. The ‘Bounding Buck of Babylon’ collected entrance fees and then, dressed in a fillet and pink tights, would amaze audiences by his ability to jump up and down on the spot. 2/2

The ringleader, John Frost, was allowed to return in 1856. To many, he remains a hero. But - almost 200 years later - the Chartists' demands have not all been met.

In all, 22 people were killed and a further 50 were injured. Twenty-one Chartists were sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered for treason, but had their sentences commuted to transportation. 4/

This, then, was the result.

Outside the Westgate Hotel in Newport, the protestors were met by soldiers. Believing the soldiers to be sympathetic, they continued their attempts to break out the prisoners.

Instead, they were shot. 3/

Chartism, the popular movement for electoral reform, had been gaining momentum since the 1832 Reform Act. For many, that Act wasn't good enough, but parliament refused to consider a petition signed by over a million people calling for further reform. Instead, agitators were locked up. 2/

Private James Wightman (pictured centre), looking back from 1892 on the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava, which happened on this day - 25 October - 1854.

The broken and fast-thinning ranks raised rugged peals of wild fierce cheering that only swelled the louder as the shot and shell from the battery tore gaps through us, and the enfilading musketry fire from the infantry in both flanks brought down horses and men ... 2/3

Luckily for the men, women, and children aboard the ship, they managed to escape and a manhunt was soon set up for the real felons. Macleod, however, also escaped, with the help of a fellow MP who happened to be a judge. 4/4

The mastermind behind the plan was the victims' landlord, looking to make a quick buck while removing potentially troublesome tenants. He was also an MP: Norman Macleod. 3/4

Indeed, the only criminals aboard were the captain and crew. In the days before, men had raided Scottish villages, grabbing inhabitants from their beds in the dead of night and bundling them aboard the ship. 2/4