Noble Blood: The Maxwell Prison Break from the Tower of London

Host: Dana Schwartz
Production: iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild
Release Date: December 3, 2024

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "The Maxwell Prison Break from the Tower of London," Dana Schwartz delves into one of history's most audacious prison escapes. This episode of Noble Blood uncovers the extraordinary lengths to which Winifred Maxwell went to save her husband, William Maxwell, from execution. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Schwartz brings to life the story of love, bravery, and political intrigue set against the backdrop of early 18th-century Britain.

Early Life and Marriage

Winifred Maxwell, born in 1672, was the youngest of six children in a family of devoted courtiers to King James II. Following the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which saw James II ousted and replaced by the Protestant George of Hanover, Winifred's family relocated to France. There, she met William Maxwell, a Scottish nobleman from the long-standing Stewart-supporting Maxwell clan. Their shared Jacobite sympathies—supporters of the Stuart claim to the British throne—fostered a deep bond, leading to their marriage in 1699.

“Winifred and William fell in love and were married in 1699,” Schwartz narrates (04:15).

Together, they established a serene life at their Scottish manor, raising five children, though only two survived to adulthood. For fifteen relatively peaceful years, the Maxwell family enjoyed noble comforts until political tides shifted once more.

The Jacobite Rebellion of 1715

The ascension of George I marked the commencement of new tensions between England and Scotland. The Stuart line, primarily Catholic, found themselves increasingly marginalized under the Protestant Hanoverian rule. In response, Scottish lords initiated the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, aiming to restore James II's lineage to the throne. As a result, William Maxwell, bound by familial loyalty and legacy, joined the rebellion despite his reluctance to abandon his peaceful life.

“Winifred also came from a family of Jacobites, so she could hardly have discouraged him,” explains Schwartz (09:30).

Unfortunately, the rebellion was swiftly quelled due to poor organization and insufficient resources. William Maxwell, among other rebel leaders, was captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London, a place notorious for housing high-profile detainees like Guy Fawkes and Anne Boleyn.

Imprisonment and Initial Efforts to Save William

Back at their manor, Winifred received the devastating news of her husband's capture shortly before Christmas 1715. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, she secured incriminating documents and began formulating a plan to rescue William. By February 23, 1716, William was entrenched in the Tower, facing an imminent trial that would likely result in his execution.

“Winifred was not content to sit at home and let her husband sit locked up in the Tower of London,” Schwartz recounts (12:45).

Winifred, accompanied by her maid Cecilia Evans, embarked on a perilous journey to London amidst harsh winter conditions. Battling severe storms and sub-zero temperatures, their two-week trek on horseback was a testament to her unwavering determination. Upon arrival, they discovered that William's situation was dire—he was slated for trial among the seven most powerful leaders of the rebellion, with a majority already condemned.

Winifred's Advocacy and Plea to the King

Once in London, Winifred wasted no time advocating for her husband. She tirelessly petitioned the House of Lords and even made a bold attempt to confront King George I directly. Disguised as a servant, she infiltrated St. James Palace, only to be physically removed by the King after an emotional plea.

Winifred recounts:
"Seeing that he wanted to go off without taking my petition, I caught hold of the skirt of his coat... I almost fainted away from grief and disappointment." (19:10).

While her direct appeal to the King did not yield immediate results, it significantly swayed public opinion. The harsh treatment Winifred received became a symbol of relentless advocacy, garnering sympathy and support for the Jacobite cause.

The Daring Jailbreak Plan

Despite Winifred's persistent efforts, William's execution was imminent. Refusing to accept defeat, Winifred orchestrated a meticulously planned jailbreak that relied on cunning and coordination rather than force. Collaborating with her maid Cecilia Evans, landlady Mrs. Mills, and friend Mrs. Morgan, Winifred devised a strategy that exploited the routine distractions of the Tower guards.

On the day before William's scheduled execution, February 23, 1716, Winifred executed her plan by:

1. Disguising William: Using makeup, wigs, and layered clothing to alter his appearance.
2. Creating Diversions: The women alternated in and out of William's cell, feigning emotional distress to confuse the guards.
3. Misdirection: Implementing a "human shell game," the women switched roles seamlessly, leading the guards to momentarily lose track of William's true identity.
4. Extraction: With the guards distracted, Winifred and her allies extracted William from the Tower, successfully escaping to a safe house.

“It was a sequence of misdirection straight out of a French farce,” Schwartz describes (17:20).

The next morning, when guards returned to execute William, his cell was inexplicably empty. Lord Maxwell had vanished without a trace, cementing Winifred's legacy as a formidable force in her own right.

Life After the Escape: Exile and Hardship

Following their escape, William and Winifred settled in France with assistance from the Ambassador of the Venetian Republic. Before their departure, Winifred returned to Scotland to secure key family documents, ensuring their son would inherit his father's titles and estates without interference from the British government.

“Always with one eye to the future, she went back to Scotland to gather the family papers she had tucked away,” notes Schwartz (21:05).

The family eventually relocated to Rome, following King James II's court in exile. Here, both William and Winifred held positions as lord and lady in waiting. However, their life in exile was marred by financial instability. William's notorious mismanagement of funds thrust the family into constant debt, straining their once noble status.

“They were constantly in debt and asking for money right and left,” Schwartz highlights (22:30).

Despite these hardships, the Maxwells remained steadfast in their loyalty to the Stuart cause, with William often extolling Winifred's ingenuity and unwavering support.

Legacy and Historical Debate

William Maxwell consistently praised Winifred for her clever and courageous actions, stating, “Everyone admires her, everyone applauds her and extols her for the proofs she has given me of her love.” (20:50).

However, historical accounts present an intriguing twist. In Tales from the Tower of London by Daniel Deal and Mark P. Donnelly, there is speculation that King George I may have ordered a reprieve for William on the very day Winifred executed her escape plan. This raises questions about whether Winifred's efforts inadvertently compounded their legal troubles, making them fugitives under new charges.

“We’ll never know for sure whether King George actually had given in to Winifred's relentless campaigning and ordered her husband to be free,” Schwartz muses (25:27).

Regardless of the uncertainties, Winifred Maxwell's story remains a powerful narrative of resilience and ingenuity. Her actions not only saved her husband's life but also highlighted the critical role women played in political and social upheavals of their time.

Conclusion

Winifred Maxwell's daring escape plan from the Tower of London stands as a testament to her extraordinary courage and resourcefulness. In an era where women of her status were expected to remain passive, Winifred defied societal norms to protect her family and challenge the prevailing power structures. Her legacy is one of unwavering dedication and strategic brilliance, ensuring that her name endures in the annals of history as a symbol of noble blood and unbreakable spirit.

“Everything Winifred did was for her family,” Dana Schwartz concludes (25:20).

Notable Quotes:

• Winifred Maxwell:
  “Seeing that he wanted to go off without taking my petition, I caught hold of the skirt of his coat... I almost fainted away from grief and disappointment.” (19:10)

• William Maxwell:
  “Everyone admires her, everyone applauds her and extols her for the proofs she has given me of her love.” (20:50)

This episode of Noble Blood skillfully intertwines personal valor with historical events, offering listeners a profound insight into the life of Winifred Maxwell and her indelible impact on British history.