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Tyburn gallows (London, England) Books
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Alfred Marks
Tyburn Tree: Its History and Annals
"Tyburn Tree: Its History and Annals" by Alfred Marks is a historical account likely written in the late 19th century. The work delves into the grim history and circumstances surrounding the executions that took place at Tyburn, exploring the social, legal, and cultural dimensions of capital punishment in England. Marks vividly portrays the procession to Tyburn, echoing the suffering of the condemned and the societal attitudes towards justice and punishment. The opening of the book provides a haunting introduction to the narratives of the many individuals who met their fate at Tyburn—a place where an estimated fifty thousand souls were executed over centuries. Marks describes the journey of these individuals, ranging from noblemen to common thieves, depicting the harrowing experiences they faced, including being dragged or led to the gallows. He references various historical and literary sources to underline the spectacle of these public executions and comment on the historical context of crime and punishment, hinting at a broader discourse on the ramifications of state power and the evolution of societal values concerning justice.
Bernard Mandeville
An Enquiry into the Causes of the Frequent Executions at Tyburn (1725)
"An Enquiry into the Causes of the Frequent Executions at Tyburn" by Bernard Mandeville is a critical pamphlet written in the early 18th century. It explores the social and legal implications surrounding the high rate of executions in London, particularly at Tyburn, questioning the effectiveness of these harsh penalties as a deterrent to crime. The work critiques not only the execution process itself but also the societal attitudes towards criminals and the flawed legal practices that facilitate crime and punishment. At the start of the treatise, Mandeville expresses his concern about the high number of executions due to theft and lesser crimes, lamenting that many condemned individuals face death for trivial offenses. He attributes this to systemic issues, such as "Theftbote," the practice of not prosecuting thieves, which he argues encourages criminal behavior. The opening introduces vivid scenes associated with execution day, detailing the infamous procession to Tyburn and the behavior of both the condemned and the spectators, indicating a shared societal indifference to the suffering of criminals. Mandeville's initial chapters establish a robust framework for discussions on potential reforms to criminal justice practices, aiming to provoke thought and action on an issue that affects society at large.
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