Court Circuits – The Norfolk Circuit 1735-1799

This Circuit covered the counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, Norfolk and Suffolk together with the County of the City of Norwich and the jurisdictions
of Ely, Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth.

A total of 455 confirmed executions plus 23 probable ones have been recorded.

Bedfordshire Executions

Bedfordshire Assizes were always held at Bedford. Executions took place at Gallows Corner, Bedford. 204 death sentences led to 42 confirmed executions & 13 probable ones.

Buckinghamshire Executions

The Lent Assizes were held at Aylesbury and Summer ones at Buckingham. 320 death sentences led to 91 confirmed executions and 8 probable ones.

Cambridgeshire Executions

The Assizes were always held at Cambridge.  105 death sentences led to 34 executions, which were carried out on Castle Hill.

Ely Executions

62 death sentences have been traced which led to 17 executions being carried out. Death sentences were passed at the Quarter Sessions of Gaol Delivery. Executions took place “at the usual site on the outskirts of Ely”.

Huntingdonshire Executions

The Assizes were always held at Huntingdon. 57 death sentences led to 17 executions, which took place at Mill Common, Huntingdon.

Norfolk Executions

The Lent Assizes were always held at Thetford and the Summer ones at Norwich. During the Summer Circuit on the same day as the shire Assizes were opened. Assizes were held for the County of the City of Norwich. 446 Norfolk death sentences led to 114 executions. A further 55 death sentences were passed at the City of Norwich Assizes leading to 13 executions.

Executions took place at Castle Hill Norwich for the county and Castle Ditches Norwich for the City Assizes, unless otherwise specified.

Suffolk Executions

The Assizes were held at Ipswich and passed 377 death sentences which led to 116 confirmed executions, plus 1 possible one. These took place at Rushmere (on the outskirts of Ipswich) unless otherwise stated, until 1790, when they transferred to the County Gaol at Ipswich.

King’s Lynn Executions

7 death sentences passed by Quarter Sessions at Kings Lynn led to 5 executions.

Great Yarmouth Executions

10 death sentences passed by Quarter Sessions at Great Yarmouth led to 6 executions.

For other court circuits, see English and Welsh Executions 1735-1799 by Court Circuit.


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