Saved by the False Hair: A Tale of Love, Betrayal, and Survival in Victorian England
Victorian England, often romanticized for its elegance and propriety, was also a time of dramatic personal conflicts and raw human emotions. The story of George Augustus Wilson, Harriet Fox, and Henry Askew is one such tale—a drama of love, betrayal, and violence that unfolded in 1880.
A Love Triangle Gone Wrong
George Augustus Wilson lived in Highgate near King’s Lynn and had shared his life with Harriet Fox for over a decade. Wilson was a hawker (a street seller, usually of fresh produce – primarily fruit and vegetables). Together, they had a child and lived modestly. But their quiet life took a dramatic turn when they decided to take in a lodger named Henry Askew. Fox became enamoured with Askew, and the two eloped to Northamptonshire, taking the child – and even some furniture – with them.
Wilson, embittered by this betrayal, accused the pair of theft due to the furniture they had taken. This led to their arrest and a brief prison sentence at Norwich Castle. Fox’s release from prison marked the beginning of an even darker chapter.
A Violent Confrontation
On March 13, 1880, Wilson awaited Fox’s return at King’s Lynn Railway Station. Consumed by anger and heartbreak, he warned her friend Elizabeth Bowen that if Harriet didn’t come back to him, there would be bloodshed. Fox refused his pleas for reconciliation and instead went with Bowen to meet Askew at a nearby pub (The Duke of Edinburgh in Littleport Street on the corner of Blackfriars Road – the site is now housing incorporating Edinburgh Court).
Wilson followed them all to the pub and refused the offer to drink with them. He struck Askew with a stick in a fit of rage but left shortly afterwards. However, Wilson wasn’t done. He bought a pistol from a local gunmaker (John Young Potter’s, 52 High Street). Wilson appeared calm and reasonable. However, he rather ominously asked the vendor to load the weapon, and to be quick about it, because Wilson said that he had a train to catch. The shopkeeper complied with the request. (In 1880, the purchase of a pistol was perfectly legal. It was only the 1903 Pistol’s Act which forbade the purchase of a firearm with a barrel shorter than 9 inches.)
Wilson returned to the Duke of Edinburgh.
Inside the pub, Wilson confronted Fox and Bowen again. He pulled out the pistol and fired. In that split second, Bowen tugged on Fox’s dress, causing both women to duck just as the shot rang out. The wall behind them was riddled with over thirty-five pieces of shot. Fox was hit but miraculously survived – thanks to an unexpected saviour: her false hair pads had absorbed most of the impact.
Aftermath and Trial
Wilson fled but was soon arrested after a struggle. The case attracted significant public interest, with many sympathising with Wilson due to what they perceived as “great provocation” by Fox and Askew. It was argued in court that he had not intended to harm anyone but had simply wanted to scare the couple because of their seeming immoral and scandalous behaviour. On April 23, 1880, Wilson was found guilty of wounding with intent to cause serious harm (rather than attempted murder).
The judge sentenced him to eight years of penal servitude.
A Reflection on Victorian Society
This dramatic episode sheds light on the darker realities of Victorian life – passionate relationships often marred by violence and societal pressures. It also underscores how personal tragedies were sometimes met with public sympathy for perpetrators if their actions were seen to be provoked.
Harriet Fox’s survival due to her false hair pads adds an almost surreal twist to this tale – a reminder that even in moments of chaos and danger, fate can intervene in unexpected ways.
© James Rye 2025
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Sources
- Storey, N.R. (2012) Norfolk Villains: Rogues, Rascals, and Reprobates, The History Press