When he searched them he was horrified to discover a pistol, powder and bullets and a penknife which seemed to be stained with blood. He offered him a drink, saying that it was a hot day and that he looked tired. Are there prisoners at Lancaster Castle? The most famous case to be tried at Lancaster Castle was that of the Pendle Witches, 10 poor men and women from Pendle who were accused of witchcraft and executed in 1612 (an 11th accused witch was found not guilty and released). It is 20 metres (66 feet) high with four storeys; each floor divided into two rooms. [53] However, it is unclear where the wall would have been. Castles & Fortified Towers, Georgian Lancashire, Medieval Lancashire, Victorian Lancashire. The Lancaster Martyrs: During this period of history fifteen Catholics were executed in Lancaster for their faith. Limited tours, lasting 30 minutes, take place throughout the day but only cover the external courtyards and one of the prison buildings. Out of 200 executions at Lancaster Castle, only 43 were for murder; other crimes included burglary, passing forged notes, robbery and cattle-stealing. It was, according to the reports published at the time, the cause of intense interest in the town, and the courtroom was packed. After the Peterloo Massacre Henry Hunt and Samuel Bamford were imprisoned, far away from Manchester, a hot bed of radical reform ideas. On Wednesday 26th April, the tours will consist of the courtyards only as A-Wing is being used for a private event. The spot chosen became known as Hanging Corner. Get all the latest updates from Lancaster Castle. Read more. He was hung, drawn and quartered, and part of his body exposed on top of the John O Gaunt Gateway. There wasalso a separate group of people deemed to be insane who were detained indefinitely, until the county asylum was built. Such trials must have been full of tension and drama. Since being established by the Romans the castle has been a home to monarchs, a place of trial and execution, and a working prison right up until 2012. He watched as they stopped by a stream to drink and cool their feet. Find out more Executions Until 1800, condemned criminals at Lancaster were executed at a place called Gallows Hill, on the moors close to Williamson Park At no time did their demeanour suggest that they had recently, and savagely, murdered anyone. RM B860TG - Lancaster Castle John O Gaunt Gateway Lancaster England UK. King Charles was executed in January 1649 and shortly after Parliament again ordered the slighting of the castle, apart from buildings necessary for administration and use as a county gaol. Lancaster Castle consists of many historic buildings encompassing the 12th Century Norman Keep, the 14th Century Witches' Tower and the 15th Century Gatehouse. He told them of his future plans and invited them both to stay the night. Amid sobbing and screaming from wives and family members all four men loudly protested their innocence, so much so that the judge reprimanded them and the bailiffs and to struggle to regain order. [24], Prison reformer John Howard (17261790) visited Lancaster in 1776 and noted the conditions in the prison. The female felons prison, the male felons prison, the female penitentiary, debtors prison andGaolers Houseare all very clearly intact. He made no effort to deny the charge. Lancaster Castle provides a unique snapshot of the history of the judiciary and prison reform in the UK. On Wednesday 26th April, the tours will consist of the courtyards only as A-Wing is being used for a private event. In a time of civilunrest, what we would now recognise as political prisoners were held at the castle. He had little to add except by way of identification, but cross-examined by Mr Jones, Bleares was asked where he kept the strongboxes containing the money from the two clubs that met at the Jolly Carter. It was agreed that after Stephen died, he would be succeeded by Henry Plantagenet (later King HenryII), Matilda's son. The scene inside the pub was one of carnage. He thought it a little strange that they appeared so tired at such an early hour but, thinking that they had simply been travelling through the night, he gave it no more thought. None were executed, but some died while detained. The Branding Iron was last used in 1811. [17] Since then, the castle has remained in the ownership of the Crown. Her Majesty's Prison Lancaster now holds approximately 230 inmates. The men arrested for the crimes seemed to have little defence. Michael described how, a little later, Bleares had drunkenly attacked some other customers when they refused to pay for their ale, shouting that he could take on three such men and still beat then all. Whilst in prison they could continue to work to earn money, in the hope they would be able to pay their debt off. Their founder George Fox (who famously had a vision of his religious missionon Pendle Hill) was imprisoned at the castle. There is a large sweeping public piazza, allowing access to the cloistered area, renovated in 2019. Joseph Bleares returned home at eight oclock and Alexander immediately called him into the bar and ordered two noggins of whiskey, which they drank together. On Monday August 21st 1826 two brothers, Alexander and Michael McKean went to the gallows in Lancaster for the murder of Elizabeth Bate. 3 Can you go inside Lancaster Castle? He noted that spinning and knitting were being carried out by those detained. In the last two decades of the century, around 30,000 was spent rebuilding Lancaster's county gaol. To see our page with details on the Medieval buildings and the life of Lancaster Castle as a fortress click here. Between 60 and 73AD, a Roman fort was built at Lancaster on a hill commanding a crossing over the River Lune. The men were arrested the next day, Sunday, by Joseph Nadin, the Deputy Constable of Manchester. The procession from the Castle would pass along Moor Lane and Moor Gate, and tradition has it that they stopped at the Golden Lion public house at the corner of Brewery Lane so that the condemned could take their last drink, accompanied by their friends and relatives. Why attack her while leaving Joseph, albeit asleep, in the bar? On the day of the murders Holden had paid a visit to the barber, while Hannah herself was described as looking spruce. Questions were repeatedly asked as to whether Hannah was seeing a man, to which Littlewood always replied that she wasnt, but much was made of her beauty, and if Holden and she were involved a lot might be explained about the various sightings on the day of the murders. This dual courts and prison function would continue right through the Medieval period up into the 21st century. Our engaging educators respond to the castle and its . This was the origin of the lay magistracy in England and Wales. A more serious class of convict started to be housed at Lancaster in Georgian times felons. Among the Quaker prisoners held in the Castle was the poet, Mary Southworth, later Molyneax. The castle became a prison in 1196, and still houses male prisoners to this day, although of course, the guided tour does not take you in to the parts of the building which are still a working prison, which is a shame as some of the most . He ran the business with his brother Michael, who was five years his junior. The Lancaster Martyrs: During this period of history fifteen Catholics were executed in Lancaster for their faith. It seems that things had begun to go wrong for the McKeans prior to the murder and they were described at their trial as being much reduced in circumstances at the time it took place. George and Elizabeth Youngson were Lancaster's youngest convict transportees to Australia, for the crime of theft. [28], In the south-west corner of the castle is a cylindrical tower named Adrian's Tower from the popular legend that it was built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The prison closed in 1916 as the number of prisoners detained nationally was diminishing. Interestingly, both Holden and James jnr mentioned being taken to see the bodies, and of being so shocked and moved by the sight that they kissed them. [10], For the next 150years, there is no record of building work, although accounts are incomplete. Their days were spent playing games in the courtyard, and any musicians who were imprisoned would often play at concerts or dances to amuse their fellow debtors. Ten people convicted of witchcraft at the Summer Assize in Lancaster Castle went to the gallows on the moors above the town. The Lancaster Martyrs: During this period of history fifteen Catholics were executed in Lancaster for their faith. Thomas Holden sentenced to 7 years Transportation to Australia for 'Administering An Illegal Oath' to Isaac Crompton. On Thursdays and Fridays the tours consist of the courtyards only. Michael asked her if her husband went to bed when he was drunk, and if not whether she stayed up with him as well. The second world war saw the armed forces taking over the castle, and the Royal Observer Corps used it as a local control room. The case centred on accusations and counter-accusations . [52], Letitia Elizabeth Landon's poetical illustration Lancaster Castle., to a picture by Thomas Allom showing the Shire Hall and the Priory, was published in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1837.[54]. [33] The prison closure was confirmed for March 2011. [27] In 1802 the castle received more funding and Joseph Gandy was commissioned to complete the interiors of the Shire Hall and Crown Court. Given this fact, Michaels crime was murder in the second degree, which carried the same penalty as Alexanders crime. Battlements project over the gatehouse, and would have allowed defenders to rain missiles on attackers immediately below. Out of 200 executions at Lancaster Castle, only 43 were for murder; other crimes included burglary, passing forged notes, robbery and cattle-stealing. Lancaster Castle opens its gates to the public for the first time since the Middle Ages. Alexander was very anxious to speak to the landlord. This shed remained until the mid-20th Century, allegedly still containing the Gallows. With their help set a trap for the fugitives. A recent extension of the Home Office lease means that the use of the castle as . Still a crown court, the majority of the castle is now open . With breathtaking speed, a person could stand trial, be convicted, and within forty-eight hours be in their grave. When new gaoler John Higgin started in 1785 he received an annual salary of 200 guineas , in compensation for being no longer allowed to collect fees from debtors (as part of John Howards reforms). Betty had managed to crawl across the landing to the club room where she died. George and Elizabeth Youngson were Lancaster's youngest convict transportees to Australia, for the crime of theft. This was justsevenyears after the Gunpowder Plot had so nearly succeeded in killingnot onlyKing James Ibut all the members of parliament too. He heard her scream and the next thing William saw was blood gushing from a wound in Bettys neck before she was flung to the floor. It was all to no avail. Separate prisons were built for men and women. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [27] The late-18th- to early-19th-century Shire Hall next to the keep is a large ten-side room. He was a draper by trade and lived with his mother in Manchester. Hear about the Castle's famous and infamous prisoners from highwayman, George Lyon to Peterloo speaker, Henry 'Orator' Hunt. This is partly due to its former use as a prison, which has prevented extensive archaeological investigation. The guided tours cost 8 adults, 6.50 concessions, 20 family ticket (the Explorer ticket - valid for 12 months is excellent value and includes entry to 11 other museums in Lancashire.) The events that brought the two men to trial and execution took place at the Jolly Carter public house on the evening of May 22nd 1826. Lancaster Castle is a fantastic museum to explore. It was then William Higgins turn, and as he was the only eye-witness to the crime this must have been a tense moment for all concerned. His records show thatwomen slept in the day room while men slept in the now demolished dungeon tower. After the war the castle was used to train police cadets, up until 1931 when the new college was opened in Preston. The final prosecution witness was the man James snr had shared a cell with, and to whom he supposedly confessed. [7], Roger de Poitou fled England in 1102 after participating in a failed rebellion against the new king, HenryI. This is the story of a tradesman incarcerated for insolvency. Forensic science did not exist, and in many cases eye-witness testimony or the most circumstantial of evidence was enough to secure a conviction. England. The family originated from Dumfries, where both men had been born, and where one of their two older brothers, William, still lived. More seriously, he had reports of a meeting that had occurred on Good Friday in which it was claimed there was a conspiracy to blow up Lancaster Castle with gunpowder, and kill the Keeper Thomas Covell who lived close by at the building now called the Judges Lodgings. Get all the latest updates from Lancaster Castle. Holden in particular was reluctant to do so, and press reports of the time were quick to conclude that he and Hannah had been lovers. One of the most remarkable Lancaster Castle facts is that the first mention of the castle being used as a prison came in the year 1196.This means that the castle has an extensive history as a prison as well since the HMP Lancaster was only closed in the year 2011.. Later that day, however, while being shaved at the barbers shop in Kirkby he saw the wanted poster, which was being shown around by the constable. [18] The instruction was not followed, and in August 1648 the town withstood a siege from the Royalist Duke of Hamilton who led an army south from Scotland. [52] In his book The Historic Lands of England, Sir Bernard Burke suggests the wall may have been visible in more places 100 years prior to his writing in 1849. After the Georgian remodelling of the castle, it was decided it would be more convenient to perform executions nearer the castle.
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