19th century public executions U.K
Public executions in the U.K were almost like carnivals in the 19th century. Some simple benefits to holding executions publicly are to bring shame and/or humiliate the condemned, satisfy the victim along with those close to the victim in instances like murder by having public justice, and to deter the public via frightening them from wrong doing against the law. However, not all was taken as intended; 19th century U.K public executions were more of an, ironically, lively social event.
At the time, people gained thrill and excitement from the rather grim spectacle. There was even some business that sprung from public executions. Additionally from vendors of all kinds setting up shop close by on the days of executions anticipating the large crowds of potential customers, penny dreadfuls were created which were brief dramatized accounts of the condemned's life or the crime they committed, or both.
From the years 1864-1866 the proposal to take execution away from the public's eyes and brought into private quarters was discussed then later passed in 1868. The last public execution in the U.K was held on May 26th, 1868 the condemned was Michael Barrett. His crime was bombing a prison wall with intention of causing a jail break and freeing many of his fellow Fenians, but ended up killing twelve, and seriously injuring many, innocent uninvolved people. From 1868 and on, executions would be confined within prison walls and execution sheds.
At the time, people gained thrill and excitement from the rather grim spectacle. There was even some business that sprung from public executions. Additionally from vendors of all kinds setting up shop close by on the days of executions anticipating the large crowds of potential customers, penny dreadfuls were created which were brief dramatized accounts of the condemned's life or the crime they committed, or both.
From the years 1864-1866 the proposal to take execution away from the public's eyes and brought into private quarters was discussed then later passed in 1868. The last public execution in the U.K was held on May 26th, 1868 the condemned was Michael Barrett. His crime was bombing a prison wall with intention of causing a jail break and freeing many of his fellow Fenians, but ended up killing twelve, and seriously injuring many, innocent uninvolved people. From 1868 and on, executions would be confined within prison walls and execution sheds.