Background The British public, and therefore the British media, have always enjoyed a “good murder.” The early months of 1752 brought not one, but two such events. Their cases filled the newspapers for weeks, and the two murderesses corresponded with each other while awaiting trial and execution. Drawings were made of both of them in … Read more
Background Lawrence Shirley, the 4th Earl Ferrers, was born on the 18th of August 1720 and has the dubious distinction of becoming the last peer of the realm to be hanged as a common criminal. (Note: his Christian name is also given as Laurence.) He inherited the title in 1745, at the age of 25, … Read more
Public Reaction to Execution There was usually at least an ambivalent attitude amongst the public towards criminals on their way to execution at Tyburn. Yes, they had committed crimes, but everyone wanted to watch the “Hanging Match,” especially if the condemned participated in it and behaved bravely. The crowds along the way and around the … Read more
Susannah went to work as a maid servant to a wealthy butcher named John Lott who lived in Hythe in Kent. John Lott fell for her and repeatedly asked her to marry him, even though he was much older that her. She did not fancy John and in 1768 decided to leave his employment. She moved to Rolvenden where she met … Read more
Mary was thought to be about eighteen or nineteen years old but was already married with two children when her husband, William, was press ganged into the Navy to go to the Falkland Islands, leaving her virtually destitute. She lived with her friend Ann Styles in Angel Alley in the Strand and was at times reduced to … Read more
