Clearly visible, in profile, were the outline and features of a womans face. [9] The war came to an end in 1153. This is the story of a tradesman incarcerated for insolvency. Also missing were items of clothing and some plate. A small Parliamentarian force captured the castle in February 1643, established a garrison and set about building earthworks around the approaches to the town. Lancaster Gaol housed one of the largest Debtor's prisons in What happened next was described in chilling detail at the trial by the boy, William Higgins, who was asleep in the room upstairs. [28], Those sentenced to death before c. 1800 at the castle were usually taken to Lancaster Moor, near where the Ashton Memorial now stands, to be hanged. The outer wall is 3 metres (9.8ft) thick; along the exterior are buttresses at each corner and in the middle of each wall. If Alexander had gone further than he intended in killing Betty then Michael could not be held responsible for his actions, as he had not agreed to them. Michael claimed that Bleares struck Alexander at the same time for no reason. Mrs Bleares had spent the evening mostly in the kitchen, but when the other customers finally left the pub Michael approached her and asked for a bed for the night, saying that it was too late to return to Manchester especially as he had a deal of money on him. Hunted men now, their details posted for miles around and with a price on their heads, the McKeans were on the run. Thomas Holden sentenced to 7 years Transportation to Australia for 'Administering An Illegal Oath' to Isaac Crompton. After William's death in 1164, the Honour of Lancaster again came under royal control when HenryII gained possession of the Honour. Includes the Shire Hall and courtrooms. Lancaster Castle is a fantastic museum to explore. They were seen open at 12:30, partially closed at 1:45 and completely shut at 2pm. The debtors area was later nicknamed as Hansbrows Hotel and a prison inspector said it resembled a somewhat noisy tavern . The Honour changed hands several times. [16] Records show that between 1402 and 1422, the year Henry V died, over 2,500 was spent on building work. The landlord of the Jolly Carter was Mr Joseph Blears, who ran the establishment with his wife Martha. [17] The sophistication of the gatehouse prompted John Champness, who wrote Lancaster Castle: A Brief History, to remark "it is perhaps the finest of its date and type in England". He obtained help from a local publican and auctioneer, a Mr Richard Faraday- described as a spirited individual- and together they set off in pursuit of the McKeans. One witness, Adam Halwell, had taken William Collins to gaol after his arrest and happened to see him on the day he was released. Ten people convicted of witchcraft at the Summer Assize in Lancaster Castle went to the gallows on the moors above the town. [10] The holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster extended beyond the county, and Lancaster was not especially important. The bodies were soon discovered in the kitchen: Margaret Marsden and Hannah Partington were quite dead, their skulls fractured, and the kitchen was covered in blood. At the August assizes in Lancaster in 1835 just fourteen prisoners were tried and nine causes were entered in the civil court - the church bells rang a "muffled peal" (Lancaster Gazette, 15 August 1835). This shed remained until the mid-20th Century, allegedly still containing the Gallows. Another renovated building adjoining the caf is leased to Lancaster University as a campus in the city with small conference facilities. James jnr and William Holden were seen later in the day in Hanover Street in Manchester betting large amounts (5 shillings a throw) on the toss of a coin. He noted that spinning and knitting were being carried out by those detained. England. Looking at the drawings made at the trial, the scars left by the attack were still clearly visible on the left side of her face. In 1166 the first assizes court was recorded and in 1196 there was the first written reference to a gaol. There wasalso a separate group of people deemed to be insane who were detained indefinitely, until the county asylum was built. RM B860TG - Lancaster Castle John O Gaunt Gateway Lancaster England UK. It was, according to the reports published at the time, the cause of intense interest in the town, and the courtroom was packed. The tower was, however, built in the early 13th century, probably during the reign of King John. He had no problem at all in identifying Alexander as the man who had murdered Betty. Stephen secured his northern frontier by allowing DavidI of Scotland to occupy the Honour in 1141. Just then the maid appeared and Mrs Bleares told her to fetch a candle and show the men where they were to sleep. The large internal courtyard is now accessible to the public, for the first time in decades. Our engaging educators respond to the castle and its . Lancaster Castle has served as a prison since the 12th century. They were allowed to rest for five minutes in every twenty. The debtors were not criminals, but usually small business men and women who could not afford to pay off their creditors. Why allow Martha Bleares to remain at liberty and with the potential to raise the alarmsomething she eventually was able to do? On Wednesday 26th April, the tours will consist of the courtyards only as A-Wing is being used for a private event. Any discovered in Lancashire were taken to Lancaster Castle for trial. One such case was the Pendleton Murders of 1817. Until 1800, condemned criminals at Lancaster were executed at a place called Gallows Hill, on the moors close to Williamson Park. [41][42] This phase created a new teaching centre, as well as more than 5,000 sq ft of space, in which the Duchy has leased a section of the old kitchen to local coffee roasters and tea merchants, J. Atkinson & Co. (established 1837) to run a caf. Life, harsh as it undoubtedly was for inmates, was often made bearable by the enlightened thinking of the various Governors of the prison. The men were walking slowly in the direction of Appleby and he noted that they looked very weary. John Nuttal and Henry Schofield had been hanged on 6th September, and there would be five more executions on the 20th. Read More Like most Norman keeps, Lancaster's would have been entered at first floor level. This is the story of a tradesman incarcerated for insolvency. Still a crown court, the majority of the castle is now open . It was all to no avail. Castles & Fortified Towers, Georgian Lancashire, Medieval Lancashire, Victorian Lancashire. 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). There is a macabre postscript to this story. 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.) . After execution their bodies would be given to the surgeons for dissection. Among the Quaker prisoners held in the Castle was the poet, Mary Southworth, later Molyneax. The men would die in two days time, on Monday 8th September. His was a considered and even-hand appraisal, which luckily still exists. Ten people convicted of witchcraft at the Summer Assize in Lancaster Castle went to the gallows on the moors above the town. An example of a typical case would be that of two boys aged 11 and 13 who in 1899 were convicted of causing wilful damage to a door by throwing mortar at it. Throughout its life as a prison, Lancaster Castle has often been viewed as an extremely well-run and humane establishment. 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. Todays title of Justice of the Peace dates back to 1361, to the reign of Edward III, and JPs still retain and use some of the powers conferred on them at that time to bind over unruly persons to be of good behaviour. Mr Williams called a good number of witnesses, mostly to testify to the character of the men accused, or to place them well away from the scene of the crime, but a great many of the people called had criminal records themselves, and their evidence counted for very little. Thomas Holden sentenced to 7 years Transportation to Australia for 'Administering An Illegal Oath' to Isaac Crompton. In the end, after threats were made to report him to the magistrates if he didnt carry out his duty, the constable gave in. This identified the convicted person as a malefactor or evil-doer.. A recent extension of the Home Office lease means that the use of the castle as . The buildings were returned to being under the control of the Queen,in her role as the Duke of Lancaster. Visitors to Lancaster Castle are advised to check opening times by telephoning 01524 64998. The buildings were surveyed and repair work estimated at 1,957. 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. One by one the men were brought out onto the scaffold and one by one they reiterated their innocence. He added that they had been talking in a friendly manner with the landlord, and that it was at this point that Joseph Bleares began to bemoan the cost of turning the pub into a going concern. Out of 200 executions at Lancaster Castle, only 43 were for murder; other crimes included burglary, passing forged notes, robbery and cattle-stealing. This refusal to admit guilt was viewed with horror in an age when the consensus of opinion was that a person about to go to God should have the grace to admit their guilt and beg forgiveness. Lancaster Castle has served as a prison since the 12th century. There is a large sweeping public piazza, allowing access to the cloistered area, renovated in 2019. Due to a lack of investigation, there is little evidence to suggest additions to Lancaster in the mid-12thcentury. His distinctive yellow walking stick had been left in the bar. David made a dramatic plea to the court that the evidence against them had been falsified, that witnesses had lied and that he and the others were innocent. Until 2011 the majority of the buildings were leased to the Ministry of Justice as HM Prison Lancaster, after which the castle was returned to the Duchy's management. A prison cell in Lancaster Castle. Not one witness recalled seeing blood on any of their clothing, which was described in often minute detail, right down to the colour of their handkerchiefs and their boot tops. Why bother going upstairs where there was a potential witness in the shape of William Higgins? Ten people convicted of witchcraft at the Summer Assize in Lancaster Castle went to the gallows on the moors above the town. King James I Conspiracy and Witchcraft Accusations. When the Anarchy erupted in 1139 a civil war between Stephen and Empress Matilda for the English throne the area was in turmoil. 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. The phenomenon was much remarked upon, and people came from Manchester and the surrounding area to view it, and marvel. Of those 200 executions, 131 are reputed to have been carried out by one hangman - Old Ned Barlow Famous for the trials and imprisonment of the Lancashire Witches, you can see the well tower where the witches were held captive. The Capital Punishment Amendment Act 1868 ended public executions, requiring that criminals be put to death in private, after which 6 executions were performed inside the castle, at first from the Chapel steps, then later in a purpose-built execution shed, on the inside wall of Hanging Corner. With the threat of a Spanish invasion, the castle was strengthened in 1585. It was designed by Thomas Harrison who was the architect of nearby Skerton Bridge, and built to be sympathetic to the Medieval style of theadjoining structures. The talk takes place on May 27 from 12-1pm and admission is 4 including tea/coffee. They had refused, telling him that they preferred to walk home when it was cool rather than in the heat of the day. He described Margaret Marsden as an ancient lady, long in the family and Hannah Partington as a beautiful young girl. He also pointed out that while no trace of blood had been found on any of the mens clothing, amounts of cash reportedly stolen from the house had been discovered in their possession. One, a Mr Norrys, raised his stick, while another cried out to the crowd: What would you have? 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. [2] The castle is the oldest standing building in Lancaster and one of the most important. It became the rule that before a prisoner was tried he was required to raise his hand so that it could be seen whether he bore the brand mark and was therefore a previous offender. Hear about the Castle's famous and infamous prisoners from highwayman, George Lyon to Peterloo speaker, Henry 'Orator' Hunt. Guided tours of the Castle include visits to its 18th century cells, Pentonville-style male penitentiary, dedicated debtors prison area and female penitentiary based on Benthams famous panopticon design. Located in the North of England, the Lancaster castle was built in medieval times and served as a prison for most of the 19th century with rumors, controversies, and wrangle. Children in Prison However, the uncertain construction date of the keep means that the King of Scotland could have been responsible for building it. Although urged repeatedly to admit to the real reason behind his murder of Betty Bate Alexander refused to ever do so. Martha Bleares, who was described as nearly fifty years of age and rather lusty, was clearly in a terrible state. These were a group ofprisoners that were not going to be flogged, branded, killed, transported or sent to a house of correction. Ordained a Roman Catholic priest at the age of 27, Father Edmund Arrowsmith ministered and said Mass in the Brindle area between Blackburn and Preston. Large amounts of money are being spent in improving the fabric of the whole building with a view to open more of it up to tourists. Self-procalimed 'King of the Robbers' George Lyon was not quite the romantic figure that local legend would have us believe. The high level of poverty prevalent at the time often meant that hard labour was the only option available even to children. Hundreds of people died under this roof . Owned by the serving monarch, HM Queen Elizabeth II, through the Duchy of Lancaster, Lancaster Castle is a wealth of English history. A new section of the caf has been built, against the old outer curtain wall, which was reduced in height to afford views of the neighbouring Lancaster Priory. This dual courts and prison function would continue right through the Medieval period up into the 21st century. During the summer, male and female prisoners sentenced to hard labour on the treadwheel had to work 10 hours per day at a rate of 96 steps per minute. It seems that at no time did any of them try to hide, or disguise who they were. They were sentenced to five days hard labour or a fine of 7s 6d. There were two other patrons in the bar until about eleven. The Lancaster Martyrs: During this period of history fifteen Catholics were executed in Lancaster for their faith. He was hung, drawn and quartered, and part of his body exposed on top of the John O Gaunt Gateway.

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