"KNOCK HER DOWN!" EXETER, 1845.

"JAMES DENLEY was summoned for an assault on Robina Warren. 

"The parties had been drinking at Mrs. Knapman's in Rack-street, and a quarrel arose between Denley's brother and his wife, who is sister to the complainant.

"As Denley was encouraging his brother to "knock her down and serve her right," the complainant told him he had no right to interfere, upon which he struck her in the eye.

"On being asked if he admitted the charge, he said he had struck her, and he "thought it was his place to do it, because it was very hard a woman should be let to put out such expressions at her husband, and he never to touch her.  The magistrates, being of a different opinion, fined him 5s and expences."  

*

Men hitting women was a prevalent offence in 1845.   There is nothing special about this case except that James tells us quite clearly what was his motive.   James was out drinking with Mr. and Mrs. Denley  (his brother and his sister-in-law,) and with Robina Warren  (his sister-in-law's sister.)  He told his brother to knock his wife down for being cheeky to him.  Robina Warren told him he had no right to do so. James thought it was his place to punch Robina in the eye and did so. 

Rack-street:  still exists and is between King St. and Preston St.  It was so named from the time when serge was being racked and stretched there.  There was a ragged school there.

Mrs. Knapman's was perhaps a kiddlywink.  There was no public house listed there in 1845.

Source: The Western Times,  4th October 1845.