This Circuit covered the counties of Cornwall, Devonshire, Dorset, Somerset, Southamptonshire (today’s Hampshire)
and Wiltshire, together with the County of the Cities of Bristol & Exeter and the Counties of the towns of Poole and
Southampton. 850 confirmed executions have been traced in the period 1735-1799, with a further 75 possible/probable ones.
Although Bristol was included on the Western Assize Summer Circuit, trials for capital offences took place at the Quarter Sessions. At least 196 people received death sentences, of which 57 were carried out. Executions took place at Gallows Acre, at the top of St. Michael’s Hill.
Both Lent and Summer Assizes were held at Bodmin in 1735, 1736, 1737 and 1752. In all other years the Lent Assizes were held at Launceston and the Summer ones at Bodmin. Cornish executions took place on Bodmin Moor and at Launceston. 221 death sentences and 38 confirmed executions have been traced, plus a further 8, where no reprieve has been found.
The County Assizes were always held at Exeter. Assizes were held for the County of the City of Exeter simultaneously with the shire Assizes, although criminal trials were rare. 837 people received death sentences at the county Assize leading to 219 confirmed executions with a further 13 possible ones. Unless otherwise stated, executions were carried out at Heavitree near Exeter up to 1794 and afterwards at the County Gaol in Exeter. The 4 City of Exeter executions were carried out at the Magdalen Road gallows.
The Assizes were always held at Dorchester. Simultaneously Assizes were held for the County of the Town of Poole.
Only 3 death sentences were passed at these. The normal place of execution was the Amphitheatre at Dorchester. 185 death sentences have been found and 44 confirmed executions have been traced, together with 2 possible ones.
Southamptonshire, as Hampshire was known at this time, always held its Assizes at Winchester. There were 708 death sentences and 159 confirmed executions recorded together with 17 possible ones. Hampshire executions were normally carried out at Gallows Hill, Winchester. On 19 occasions one of the Circuit Judges would move on to Salisbury while the other would proceed to Southampton to open Assizes for the County of that Town where a total of 14 death sentences were passed, resulting in a further 3 hangings.
The Lent Assizes were always held at Taunton as was the Summer Assizes in 1773. Normally Summer Assizes were
held at Bridgwater or Wells. 675 death sentences resulted in 179 confirmed executions plus 28 probable ones
Executions took place at Gallows Field, Ilchester.
Wiltshire Assizes were always held at Salisbury (New Sarum). 468 death sentences led to 147 confirmed executions plus 7
probable ones where no reprieve can be found. Executions took place on an area of open land at Fisherton.
For other court circuits, see English and Welsh Executions 1735-1799 by Court Circuit.
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