It's the afternoon of December 2, 1816, in London, England, and a riot is in progress.

A mob rampages through the streets, breaking windows and robbing any well-dressed gentleman

who crosses its path.

Leading the charge is 42-year-old revolutionary Arthur Thistlewood.

Earlier today, Arthur spoke at a radical political meeting, where he whipped into a frenzy

10,000 working-class Londoners over their lack of voting rights. He declared his intention to riot

and invited the crowd to join him.

Now Arthur watches, as those who did, cause chaos in the streets of London. Eager to participate

in the action, Arthur checks his pockets and discovers he only has a few spare musket balls left.

So he raises his leg and kicks open the door of a nearby gunsmith shop.

He pushes his way inside and points his pistol at the shocked storekeeper, ordering him to stay

still.

As Arthur stuffs his pockets with bullets, the storekeeper reaches behind the counter and

pulls out his own gun.

But Arthur notices him move, aims and fires.

Gunsmith slumps to the floor.

But a flicker of movement catches Arthur's attention.

He swings around, guns still raised, but it's only rioters running past the shop windows,

though in the wrong direction.

Confused by their hasty flight, Arthur leaves the gunsmith's shop and steps back outside.

Gunfire erupts from one end of the street, and Arthur turns his head to see armed soldiers from the Tower of London.

He shouts at the rioters to stand their ground,

...