RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Lee_T on Monday 24 January 11 13:07 GMT (UK)
-
Hi all,
I'm just after a bit of advice and hopefully a point in the right direction with some examples.
I am after any examples or insight into the death penalty between 1700 and about 1850 in the UK, well, England really.
I have started a creative writing course and for my end project I have decided to concentrate on the last few days of someone in York Castle, awaiting his fate, "to be hung by the neck until dead".
I recently bought the "Tyburn Tales: The Criminal Chronology of York Castle " book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tyburn-Tales-Criminal-Chronology-Castle/dp/0752455370 which gives a summary of crimes and their executions and am going to focus on a character in there (actual person tbc).
So, I am just after any links to websites which will help me to 'flesh out' the process; the people, the hangmen, the prisons, the process.
Any help, gratefully recieved.
Thanks.
-
Have you been to the exhibition in York Castle? It describes the last days of a number of condemned criminals from a variety of backgrounds, including Dick Turpin, though the others aren't especially famous in their own right.
-
There is this site http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/contents.html
and a section on York http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/york.html
Stan
-
I've recently read temporaneous accounts of the last days and execution of the Cato St conspirators, in 1820. If you google it, you should find plenty of food for thought; if you go through Google Books, you'll find original accounts aplenty.
-
Thanks very much everyone, really appreciate it.
-
I've recently read temporaneous accounts of the last days and execution of the Cato St conspirators, in 1820. If you google it, you should find plenty of food for thought; if you go through Google Books, you'll find original accounts aplenty.
Sorry, could you provide a link for google books? not having much luck. :(
-
Try http://www.google.co.uk/search?tbs=bks:1,bkv:f&tbo=p&q=executions&num=10 you can change the search term to what you want.
Stan
-
Assuming that you have now been able to get at the Google Books search screen, and that you are interested in hangings beyond York, you can find a lot of lurid tales about criminals hanged at Tyburn -- originally published near the time of executions although partially re-edited later -- by inserting the term Newgate Calendar into the search field (within quote marks).
Rol
-
Thanks so much for all the input so far,
Just one more thing, does anyone happen to know of any references to cockfighting in the period mentioned? I am very interested in the story of Tom Lee and Dr Petty.
Thanks again, very much. :)
Lee
-
Sorry, this is just a shamless bump for any further leads on cockfighting in England in the 18th century?
Thanks for anything you could suggest.
Cheers.
-
Cock-fighting led to breeding, rearing, and training game fowl, and a game cock who slew his opponents was the pride of a whole town or countryside. Vast sums of money were won or lost over the combats of these birds.
When a cock was matched to fight he was put into the care of a trainer to prepare him for battle. His feathers and comb were trimmed and his natural spurs reduced to about half an inch in length, to allow for steel spurs, each about two and a half inches long and with a socket at one end, being fixed on the natural spur of each leg. These artificial spurs were thin and very sharp at the point.
The combat usually took place in a properly prepared cock pit or cock ring which was sunk in the ground, and around this inner circle was an outer one raised a few feet for the benefit of the spectators.
Each cock had a second, or handler, as he was called, whose duty it was to take it into the pit and see that the rules agreed upon were properly carried out.
At the end of each “round” the cocks were separated for a short interval of rest. These fights were often very exciting and every advantage one bird gained over his antagonist brought forth rounds of cheers from his backers. The pluck and endurance of game cocks when fighting is marvellous; they fight to the death and only yield with their last breath.
From “History of Sunderland” by W. C. Mitchell, pub. 1919.
Stan
-
More info. here:
http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/popculture/PtwoE.html
jim
-
Thanks chaps, good information. :)
I think I'm going to concentrate on the cockfighting aspect for which was a part in the story of Tom Lee and Dr Petty which I am going to work on.
Thanks again, going to look more deeply into this if I can. :)