For over six centuries, public executions were a common occurrence in England, with the Tyburn gallows serving as the most notorious site for these grim spectacles. The last hanging at Tyburn, which took place on November 3, 1783, marked the end of an era and reflected a gradual shift in societal attitudes towards crime and punishment. In this article, we will delve into the history of public executions in England, explore the social and political context that made them a popular form of entertainment, and examine the significance of the last hanging at Tyburn.
A History of Public Executions in England
Public executions in England can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period, with the earliest recorded execution taking place in the year 695 AD. During the Middle Ages, executions were often carried out in town squares or at crossroads, serving as a powerful deterrent and a reminder of the consequences of crime.
The Tyburn gallows, located near present-day Marble Arch in London, became the primary site for public executions in the city during the 12th century. The first recorded execution at Tyburn took place in 1196, when William Fitz Osbert, a populist leader, was hanged for sedition.
Over time, the methods of execution at Tyburn evolved. In 1571, the "Tyburn Tree," a triangular gallows capable of hanging up to 24 people simultaneously, was erected. This structure became a symbol of the brutality and spectacle of public executions in England.
The Spectacle of Tyburn Executions
Execution days at Tyburn were highly anticipated events, often drawing crowds of up to 100,000 people. The condemned were transported from Newgate Prison to Tyburn in a procession known as the "Tyburn Fair," which could take up to three hours. Along the way, the prisoners were allowed to stop at a tavern for a final drink, known as the "Hanging Breakfast."
Upon arrival at Tyburn, the condemned were given the opportunity to address the crowd and make a final confession. Some used this platform to express remorse, while others maintained their innocence or criticized the justice system. The hangman then placed a noose around the prisoner‘s neck, and the cart they were standing on was driven away, leaving them to hang until dead.
The spectacle of Tyburn executions was not limited to the hanging itself. Vendors sold souvenirs, such as execution pamphlets and miniature replicas of the gallows, while pickpockets worked the crowd. The wealthy could even pay for a better view of the proceedings from the windows of nearby houses.
Notable Executions at Tyburn
Throughout its history, Tyburn saw the execution of many notable figures, including:
- Oliver Cromwell (1661, posthumously): After the Restoration of the monarchy, Cromwell‘s body was exhumed and hanged at Tyburn as a symbolic punishment for his role in the English Civil War.
- Jack Sheppard (1724): A notorious thief and escape artist, Sheppard‘s execution drew a crowd of over 200,000 people.
- Jonathan Wild (1725): A criminal mastermind who secretly ran a gang of thieves while posing as a "thief-taker," Wild‘s execution was a major event in London.
| Notable Executions at Tyburn | Year | Crime |
|---|---|---|
| Oliver Cromwell (posthumous) | 1661 | Regicide |
| Jack Sheppard | 1724 | Theft |
| Jonathan Wild | 1725 | Theft, corruption |
| Lord Ferrers | 1760 | Murder |
| John Austin | 1783 | Highway robbery, murder |
The Economics of Execution
Public executions were not only a form of punishment and entertainment but also a source of revenue for those involved. The publication of execution pamphlets, which provided detailed accounts of the condemned‘s crimes and final moments, was a lucrative business. In some cases, the criminals themselves sold their life stories to publishers before their execution.
The spectacle of executions also provided opportunities for enterprising individuals. Homeowners near Tyburn rented out rooms with a view of the gallows, while vendors sold food, drink, and souvenirs to the crowds.
The Role of Religion
Religion played a significant role in the execution process. Clergymen often accompanied the condemned on their journey to Tyburn, offering spiritual guidance and encouraging them to make a final confession. The Ordinary of Newgate, the prison chaplain, was responsible for publishing the confessions and final speeches of the executed, which were sold as part of the execution pamphlets.
The idea of redemption through a "good death" was prevalent in 18th-century England. A condemned criminal who showed remorse and died bravely was believed to have a better chance of salvation in the afterlife.
Crime and Punishment in 18th-Century England
The prevalence of public executions in England during the 17th and 18th centuries can be attributed to several factors, including a lack of effective law enforcement, a belief in the deterrent power of capital punishment, and a fascination with crime and punishment among the general public.
At the time, there was no organized police force, and the detection and apprehension of criminals often relied on rewards and informants. The harsh penal code, known as the "Bloody Code," prescribed the death penalty for a wide range of offenses, including theft, counterfeiting, and even cutting down a tree in a public park.
The public‘s fascination with crime and punishment was reflected in the popularity of execution pamphlets, criminal biographies, and the crowds that gathered at Tyburn. For many, attending an execution was a form of entertainment, a chance to see justice being served, and a reminder of the consequences of breaking the law.
The Last Hanging at Tyburn
On November 3, 1783, John Austin, a highwayman convicted of murder and robbery, became the last person to be hanged at Tyburn. By this time, attitudes towards public executions had begun to shift, with many seeing them as a source of disorder and a display of barbarism.
The decision to move executions from Tyburn to the grounds of Newgate Prison was influenced by several factors, including the expansion of London‘s boundaries, which made the journey from the prison to Tyburn longer and more disruptive, and a growing sense that public executions were no longer an effective deterrent to crime.
The Legacy of Tyburn
The last hanging at Tyburn marked the end of an era in London‘s history, but the impact of public executions on English society would continue to be felt for decades. The reform of the penal code in the early 19th century saw a reduction in the number of capital offenses, and public executions were eventually abolished in 1868.
Today, a plaque near Marble Arch marks the site of the Tyburn gallows, serving as a reminder of the thousands of lives that were ended there over the course of six centuries. The legacy of Tyburn and the public execution in England continues to be a subject of fascination for historians and the general public alike, sparking discussions about crime, punishment, and the evolution of societal attitudes towards justice.
