Tyburn

   

Tyburn was the principal location in London for public executions by hanging. It was at the junction between two Roman roads, (now Oxford Street and Edgware Road, near where the Marble Arch now stands), and executions took place there for many centuries. The location was well known, appearing in many cant phrases and folk songs: "Tyburn Tree" being the gallows; "To dance the Tyburn Jig" meaning to be hanged, etc.

Hogarth's Idle 'Prentice
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Hogarth's Idle 'Prentice

The site had significance from Roman times when Oswulf's Stone was placed there. From this stone was named Ossulston Hundred of Middlesex. The stone was earthed over in 1822 when Marble Arch moved to the area, but was shortly afterwards unearthed and propped up against the Arch. It has not been seen since 1869. Speakers' Corner is close by, Tyburn is the old reminder that free speech is tolerated only within limits.

Executions had been taking place at Tyburn since before the 14th century in the land belonging to the manor of the parish of St Marylebone. At the time this was well outside the city walls of London, yet condemned prisoners from the city were often brought here to end their lives. The first recording of a hanging taking place at Tyburn was in 1388 at the execution of Sir Nicholas Brembre, former Lord Mayor of London (1383-1385) and adviser to the king.

The later gallows, as depicted by William Hogarth in his print, The Idle 'Prentice executed at Tyburn (1747), was a triangle in plan, having three legs to stand upon (an arrangement known as a "three legged mare" or "three legged stool"). This structure first came into existence in 1571 at the execution of Dr. John Story (A Catholic agitator who refused to recognize Elizabeth I).

In 1759, the old Triple Tree was removed, and a new movable gallows, set up near the union of Bryanston Street and Edgware Road, superseded it. The last person executed at Tyburn was John Austin on November 3, 1783. After that date the London executions were removed from Tyburn to Newgate and criminals were hanged in front of the gaol. There is a plaque in a traffic island at the bottom of Edgware Road to commemorate the site of the tree.

Tyburn got its name from the Tyburn brook, which since being covered over is now one of the subterranean rivers of London. It rises near to Tyburn before flowing into the lake in St. James Park. From there, it travels to form a delta creating Thorney Island (the location of Westminster Abbey, and the Palace of Westminster) thence joining the Thames. A church called St Mary's, built upon the banks of the Tyburn, gave rise to the area's present name Marylebone, St Marylebone being a contraction of St Mary by the bourne.

The Tyburn Convent is a Catholic convent dedicated to the memory of martyrs executed during the Reformation.

People executed at Tyburn

Among those executed at Tyburn were:

Also, the bodies of Oliver Cromwell, Henry Ireton and John Bradshaw were exhumed in 1661 and hung in chains at Tyburn on the order of Charles II (See also: Posthumous execution).

See also



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