Watson’s receipt for fireball received 29th January 1820′. Provided by a spy

Several of the men knew a fair bit about violence. They’d all grown up in wartime and some had served in the army or the militias, Thistlewood included. Hence many of the conspirators knew how to make hand-grenades and fire-balls.  This example from the collection at the National Archives has more of “Bake  Off” about it than revolution:

“Take 2 oz of Resin, 2 oz of Mutton suit, 2 oz of Horse Turpentine, melt together, add 2 oz saltpetre. Make it into a ball with a fuse fixed in from the centre…”

Certainly a case of Blue Peter’s old favourite catchphrase:  ‘Don’t try this at home kids!’

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