lancaster castle famous prisoners

Self-procalimed 'King of the Robbers' George Lyon was not quite the romantic figure that local legend would have us believe. Counsel for the Crown, Mr Cross, opened proceedings by informing the jury that the evidence in this case would be largely circumstantial, but argued that it was no less compelling for that. The Reverend Joseph Rowley, prison chaplain for fifty four years, attended 168 executions. 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. Limited tours, lasting 30 minutes, take place throughout the day but only cover the external courtyards and one of the prison buildings. [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. Alexander was named as the perpetrator of the bloody deed, and Michael was wanted for aiding and abetting him in the crime. On the ground-floor of the tower is the Drop Room which contains relics of the many executions, and can be visited today on the guided tour. Self-procalimed 'King of the Robbers' George Lyon was not quite the romantic figure that local legend would have us believe. A manhunt began, with posters bearing very accurate descriptions of both men being despatched to all corners of the county. They enjoyed considerably more freedom than the felons, being able to use the courtyard in good weather or stay in their rooms if they so chose. Women and men would spend 10 hour days working them in teams of four. In addition to its role as a fortress and a prison, the castle has also been used as a court and an execution site. In the face of this kind of testimony the defence counsel had little to offer. The Castle has a small collection of around 500 historic objects, fixtures and fittings which are predominantly on display in the Shire Hall complex. Whilst in prison they could continue to work to earn money, in the hope they would be able to pay their debt off. 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. Famous prisoners included Father Edmund Arrowsmith who was a Roman Catholic priest who said Mass in the Brindle area between Blackburn and Preston. By the time the defendants in the Pendleton case reached court the assize had been sitting for over a week. In response, the Royalists dispatched an army to retake Lancaster. BBC - History of the tours and trials at Lancaster Castle This, coupled withtheir refusal to swear loyalty to King Charles II, meant that they were seen as disturbers of the peace of the nation and gaoled. 1787. England List of Notable Prisons - International Institute On Monday 28th April the prisoners were taken to the scene of the crime and forced to look at the corpses. Like most Norman keeps, Lancaster's would have been entered at first floor level. Another renovated building adjoining the caf is leased to Lancaster University as a campus in the city with small conference facilities. Because of the legend, a statue of John of Gaunt was placed in the empty niche in the 19thcentury. 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 men who stood trial in Lancaster in September 1817 for the Pendleton Murders were all local to the area, and well known to its residents. Notwithstanding this, he again made it clear that it was the act itself they had to judge: a reason for it was not necessary for a verdict to be reached. George and Elizabeth Youngson were Lancaster's youngest convict transportees to Australia, for the crime of theft. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. With the threat of a Spanish invasion, the castle was strengthened in 1585. [32], The castle formally opened as HM Prison Lancaster in 1955, becoming a Category C prison for male inmates, and a venue for the Crown Court. The Well Tower is thought to date from the early 14th century. Ten people convicted of witchcraft at the Summer Assize in Lancaster Castle went to the gallows on the moors above the town. Lancaster Castle is still used today as a Crown Court. The jury retired and after five minutes returned with a guilty verdict on both brothers. It was, according to the reports published at the time, the cause of intense interest in the town, and the courtroom was packed. England. PDF Lancaster Castle: the Courts and Criminal Prison, 1800 1916 [48] Three storeys high, the apartment on the ground floor would probably have been used by the Constable of the castle; the two floors above had three rooms each. On Wednesday 26th April, the tours will consist of the courtyards only as A-Wing is being used for a private event. Executions | Lancaster Castle : Lancaster Castle The buildings were surveyed and repair work estimated at 1,957. 6 reviews of Lancaster Castle "True tales of witchcraft, murder, madness and 'justice' await you within the wall of the UK's oldest working prison. 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. In the aftermath of the Civil War the castle was never made fully defendable again, and its curtain walls were either demolished or left unrepaired. Its latest incarnation was as HMP Lancaster, a Category C prison which was operational on this site right up until March 2011. Accompanying the proclamation was the promise of a reward of fifty guineas, raised by the inhabitants of Winton, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators of what was fast becoming a notorious crime.But what of the brothers? Four prisoners were allocated to every three spaces on the wheel, thereby allowing one to rest for five minutes while the rest of the team continued to turn the wheel. In 1195, Richard I commissioned certain knights to preserve the peace in unruly areas they were known as Keepers of the Peace. 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 Bentham's famous panopticon design. 10,144 enrolled on this course. 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. The Shire Hall is currently not accessible for tours while work is undertaken to upgrade the Fire Alarm. [10] The holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster extended beyond the county, and Lancaster was not especially important. [29] Between 1782 and 1865, around 265people were hanged at Lancaster; the executions were frequently attended by thousands of people crowded into the churchyard. 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. Crime & Punishment | Lancaster Castle : Lancaster Castle LANCASTER CASTLE - 18 Photos - Shire Hall, Lancaster, Lancashire The last of these prisoners to die here was John Haydock in 1720. 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. Battlements project over the gatehouse, and would have allowed defenders to rain missiles on attackers immediately below. Their rooms were searched, and cash was found, but although Nadin searched for any bloodied clothing, and pressed the men to disclose where such garments might be, none was ever found beyond a handkerchief with some blood on it, lying beneath David Ashcrofts bed. The blow glanced over her throat, whereupon Michael threw her to the floor and struck her again, the second time driving his knife deep into her face before rushing out of the pub. They were found guilty of witchcraft and hung. They headed north, where the roads were quieter and habitation sparse, although they failed to make much provision for such a long and arduous journey. The money was all gone from the bedroom, where they also found a bloodstained cleaver from the kitchen. 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. 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. [30] The prison closed in 1916 due to a national decrease in the number of prisoners, although for part of the First World War it held German civilians and military prisoners of war. 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. Lancaster Castle - The Captains Guides The castle has around a thousand years of rich history. The court finally fell silent as the sentences were passed. Throughout its life as a prison, Lancaster Castle has often been viewed as an extremely well-run and humane establishment. Debtors could have beer, wine and tobacco but not spirits. [4], As there are no contemporary documents recording the foundation of the castle, it is uncertain when and by whom it was started, but it is supposed that Roger de Poitou, the Norman lord in control of the Honour of Lancaster, was responsible. Ely Dyson saw James Ashcroft jnr and his uncle leaving the house at around 4 oclock, carrying small bundles. Lancasters use of the treadwheels was almost unique as most prisons did not harness the energy in any useful way. The Gaol at Lancaster Castle | Lancaster Castle [13] Lancaster was one such castle. 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. [31], Between 1931 and 1937 the castle was used by the county council to train police officers. 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. A prison cell in Lancaster Castle. [48], During the Roman era in the 4th century,[50] the fort was surrounded by the "Wery Wall" which is believed to translate as the 'green wall'. Simon Williamson, a farmhand, had found a bloody handkerchief that belonged to Michael in the field behind the Jolly Carter on the morning after the murder. Although the exterior was refaced in the 18thcentury, medieval stonework is visible in the interior. He made no effort to deny the charge. Lancaster Castle was used as the main gaol in the city. [27] The late-18th- to early-19th-century Shire Hall next to the keep is a large ten-side room. To see most of the interior of the buildings you need to take a guided tour, but it is free to enter the courtyard. By 1801, executions were no longer being carried out at the area known as Tiburn on Lancaster Moor. The Norman . [15] For many castles, the expenditure is unknown. Mr and Mrs Littlewood, as was their custom, left early for their shop in Manchester, leaving the two servants alone in the house. Lancaster Gaol housed one of the largest Debtor's prisons in They could buy newspapers, food and clothing, follow their trades or professions, and have visitors from 8 am to 8 pm. Lancaster prison hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Improvements were also made to sanitation; in the 18thcentury more people died from gaol fever than by hanging. There were two beds in the room and the second was the one intended for the McKeans. The debtors area was later nicknamed as Hansbrows Hotel and a prison inspector said it resembled a somewhat noisy tavern . The monarchy was restored in 1660, and CharlesII visited Lancaster on 12 August and released all the prisoners held in the castle. In his time boys from the local grammar school were given a half day holiday to attend executions, in the belief that witnessing such a horror would deter future criminality. 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. The prison closed in 1916 as the number of prisoners detained nationally was diminishing. By now it was approaching 8pm. They had, it was said, the ordinary appearance of decent journeymen tradesmen Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge. He had instigated widespread changes to allgaols which included segregating prisoners on the basis of their crime and gender. He had no problem at all in identifying Alexander as the man who had murdered Betty. There is a large sweeping public piazza, allowing access to the cloistered area, renovated in 2019. Lancaster has a reputation as the court that sentenced more people to death than any other in England. [17] Since then, the castle has remained in the ownership of the Crown. [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. [13] The Rolls show that John spent over 630 on digging a ditch outside Lancaster's south and west walls, and for the construction of "the King's lodgings". If there was no work on the castle, this may indicate that it was not important enough to warrant expenditure beyond upkeep, as Lancaster was not near a border. Mel Dod has been working at Lancaster Castle for 25 years Visitors - which have included Prince Charles, Princess Alexandra, Tom Conti and Leslie Crowther - are always fascinated by the. Out of 200 executions at Lancaster Castle, only 43 were for murder; other crimes included burglary, passing forged notes, robbery and cattle-stealing. To see our page with details on the Medieval buildings and the life of Lancaster Castle as a fortress click here. The McKeans On Monday August 21st 1826 two brothers, Alexander and Michael McKean went to the gallows in Lancaster for the murder of Elizabeth Bate. A week to the day after the murder at Winton, at five oclock on the morning of May 29th on the lonely road between Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, Alexander and Michael McKean were seen by William Taylor, a butcher from Kirkby Stephen. They weredreadfully dejected, and hung down their heads in the deepest despondency, while their pale and haggard looks told a horrible tale of what passed within.. 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. Ten people convicted of witchcraft at the Summer Assize in Lancaster Castle went to the gallows on the moors above the town. RM B860TG - Lancaster Castle John O Gaunt Gateway Lancaster England UK. In the late 1190s certain local knights were appointedKeepers of the Peace by the king. Alexander was a hawker for the business and he had first called on the Bleares a year before the events of May 1826. Five places in Lancaster that are haunted by witches, prisoners, an Self-procalimed 'King of the Robbers' George Lyon was not quite the romantic figure that local legend would have us believe. And why risk so much for such a relatively small sum of money as 30?So, what if the motive had not been robbery? It has been a place of justice and incarceration for centuries and still houses one of the oldest working crown courts in the country. Lancaster Castle - Lancaster - Visit Manchester [19] County gaols, such as this one, were intended to hold prisoners for short periods immediately before trial. The Castle is still a working court and prison and famous trials include the famous Lancashire Witches . The fee included fire, candle, use of culinary utensils, and the services of a room-man who did the cooking, cleaning, and waiting-on. One witness, Mary Hollows, passed by the window between 1 and 2pm and saw a man inside, who she later identified as William Holden. A more serious class of convict started to be housed at Lancaster in Georgian times felons. What Has Been Filmed At Lancaster Castle? - Tovisorga.com [21], At the outbreak of the Civil War Lancaster was lightly garrisoned. This probably referred to what is now known as Adrian's Tower. This shed remained until the mid-20th Century, allegedly still containing the Gallows. Her evidence complete, her husband now took the stand. He told Mrs Bleares that he wished to treat Joseph to a glass of whiskey but she explained that her husband had gone to Manchester on business and was not expected back until later. During their history, lay magistrates have had responsibility for: Today their role is almost exclusively judicial, and JPs are appointed on behalf of the Sovereign by the Lord Chancellor. 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. The case centred on accusations and counter-accusations . It spells out very clearly that there could be little real doubt that a murder was committed, or that Alexander McKean had committed it. Justice Park addressed this question next in the following terms: During this trial a thought came into my mind, and I dare say it struck the learned counsel too, from the method of his examination, whether it might not be supposed that at first Alexander had some criminal view or intention against this woman, an intent upon her person; but even supposing that were the case, if in endeavouring to effect his purpose he put her to death, it would be equally murder in him, although it would not be so for the other prisoner. 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. The Pendle Witches were tried there in 1612, while other famous prisoners include George Fox, the . The second world war saw the armed forces taking over the castle, and the Royal Observer Corps used it as a local control room. According to Faraday Michael turned like death as he saw what was happening and as his brother was overpowered he rushed at Faraday with an oak stick. Orders were given that "all the walls about [Lancaster Castle] should be thrown down". A survey in 1578 led to repairs to the keep costing 235. 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. Read more. Read More Given a chance to speak the men all pleaded innocence. Above the gate is a niche which would originally have contained a statue of a saint, flanked by a coat of arms of the kings of England. Lancaster Castle provides a unique snapshot of the history of the judiciary and prison reform in the UK. A famous moniker used for Lancaster Castle was 'the hanging town' as it was considered to sentence more prisoners to death than at any other court in England. Prison | Lancaster Castle : Lancaster Castle Being not only an historic castle but also a functional Prison up until 2011 Lancaster Castle has lots to see. When Mr Littlewood returned home soon after it was to find that something was obviously amiss. [16] Records show that between 1402 and 1422, the year Henry V died, over 2,500 was spent on building work. Accompanied by others who had responded to Trowels alarm, he finally gained access via an upstairs window. 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.) 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. Lancaster Castle is a fantastic museum to explore. 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. A new Crown Court and Shire Hall were also added in the same decade. 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. The Lancaster Martyrs: During this period of history fifteen Catholics were executed in Lancaster for their faith. RM HH70K7 - Henry V (1386 - 1422) was King of England from 1413 until his death at the age of 36 in 1422. [1][2] Little is known about Lancaster between the end of the Roman occupation of England in the early 5thcentury and the Norman Conquest in the late 11th century. The law as it stood in 1826 was very clear on the first of these two points: if the brothers intention had been to murder Elizabeth Bate it did not matter that Michael was not present in the time it was committed. The phenomenon was much remarked upon, and people came from Manchester and the surrounding area to view it, and marvel. Limited tours, lasting 30 minutes, take place throughout the day but only cover the external courtyards and one of the prison buildings. 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.. 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. The Pendle Witches. Betty had plainly put up a fight, but died as a result of the wound to her throat. Henry granted it to Stephen of Blois, his nephew and later king. He replied that he held them in his room, not upstairs. Its latest incarnation was as HMP Lancaster, a Category C prison which was operational on this site right up until March 2011. It is uncertain when the keep was built, although it probably dates to the 12th century[9] when it was the residence for the lord of the castlethe owner or his representative. Are there prisoners at Lancaster Castle? Often they were mixed in with other categories of prisoners and overcrowding began to be a real problem. A former prison and courthouse famous for witch trials and hangings. Visitors to Lancaster Castle are advised to check opening times by telephoning 01524 64998. Open every day from 9.30 am- 5.00 pm. During the 18th and 19th centuries, until the Bankruptcy Act of 1866, Lancaster Castle housed between 300 and 400 people in the debtors prison at any one time. The castle was used as a prison ever since the late 12th century. McKean realised that the boy had seen it all and attempted to smother him but Betty had somehow found the strength to get to her feet and she distracted McKean long enough to allow William to escape. Knowing that Michael was not far behind, Faraday left Alexander in the charge of the two workmen then went back outside. A glimpse into the history of Lancaster Castle and its use as a place of punishment offers a revealing insight into the nations changing attitudes towards crime and punishment, as well as religious and cultural beliefs through the centuries. Catholicpriestswere seen as spies and insurgents and believed to be encouraging rebellion against the Protestant monarchs. In fact several other houses over-looked it, and some of the most damning testimony was to come from people who had witnessed events from these dwellings. 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. Lancaster Castle housed two treadwheels one to drive 23 calico looms and one to draw water from the well. On March 25th 1865 Stephen Burke was hanged for the murder of his wife, this was the last public execution at the Castle. Lancaster Castle was one of the first gaols in England to segregate its inmates by age and gender.
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