In 1820 the trial of the Queen divided the nation. The Queen was wildly popular; the King was not. King George lV and his supporters introduced a Pain and Penalties Bill to Parliament with the purpose of hurting Queen Caroline. When the Bill was rejected by the House of Lords there was great celebration throughout the land. In Exeter, however, according to Trewman's Exeter Flying Post, 16th November 1820, a significant minority seem to have been supporters of the King:
"....the friends of the Queen were making preparations to express their joy, on the reult of Her Majesty's trial. by an Illumination, and which took place on Thursday evening. Public opinion was greatly divided on the occasion; in the Fore-street, which numbers 271 houses, 138 were lighted up, and 133 were in total darkness; in South-street, Magdalen-street, Holloway, North-street and the back streets and lanes, the Illuminations were much more general. a number of Transparencies were exhibited, and Crowns, Stars, and various appropriate Motto's, shone brilliantly in Lamps;- but the dwellings of the higher ranks presented a very different appearance, for through the whole extent of the houses in Southernhay-place three only had lights - in Dix's-field one only - whilst every house in Bedford Circus, Barnfield Crescent, Collaton Crescent and Summerland-Place, was in total darkness; - the same was observable at the Devon and Exeter Institutiuon, and at the New Subscription Rooms; nor at either of the princpal Inns was a light shewn.
There was a bonfire, and an abundant diplay of fire-works, in the Cathedral-yard, which served to brighten the gloom that otherwise prevailed in that quarter. - A great concourse of people continued to parade the streets for several hours in the most peacable and orderly manner."
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