Archbishop Howley's coach attacked at Canterbury

Background. William Howley (12 February 1766 – 11 February 1848) was a clergyman in the Church of England who served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1828 to 1848. He held that office during the Sacramental Test Act 1828, the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, and the Great Reform Act 1832. The bench of bishops was generally opposed to all three measures, and Howley acted as their spokesman. His heart-felt opposition to the Great Reform Act led to his carriage being attacked in the streets of Canterbury.

Political Context. The Great Reform Act 1832 was an act of Parliament to reform the electoral system in England and Wales. It expanded the male franchise but excluded women. The political pressure for reform was immense, with pro-reform Whigs winning a landslide victory in the 1831 general election. Howley's opposition to this act placed him at odds with the prevailing political sentiment.

Incident Details. According to the sourced account, Howley's carriage was attacked in the streets of Canterbury as a direct consequence of his heart-felt opposition to the Great Reform Act. Canterbury is a city in the county of Kent, England, and is also known as the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury through its cathedral. The passages do not record a precise date for the attack or describe the mob's specific actions.