The British Execution: 1500-1964

by Stephen Banks

Executions have played a crucial - if grisly and controversial - part in British history and provided the bloody climax to many a life, from Mary, Queen of Scots, Charles I and Dick Turpin to untold thousands of anonymous wretches whose names are now forgotten. With the help of numerous illustrations, Stephen Banks details the history of formal execution in Britain, examining the fates of the grandest monarchs, the highest-profile gentlemen, the most learned heretics and the most petty of criminals. He looks also at the crowds, spectacle and grim pageantry that surrounded these events, helping us to understand their morbid but undeniable fascination and detailing the process that led to capital punishment's abolition in Britain.

Genres: History, British Literature

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Garry Marlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a nice overview but not to in-depth

[Ubiquitousbastard · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this wasn't fantastically written, but it's a decent overview of the subject. I honestly didn't care much for the post-Victorian Era parts, since I don't have a huge interest in modern history, but I can see why the author chose to include the time leading up to the abolition of the death penalty.

I really only wanted to read this because I was morbidly curious about what happened to the bodies of people who were drawn and quartered and had their parts displayed around London. Although there is only one slight reference to a head being thrown in the Thames, that matches up with my guess as to what happened, so I pretty much found what I was looking for.

There were also several unrelated facts that I found interesting and would not have considered beforehand, so I also learned some new things, which I always appreciate.

It seems that Banks was mostly interested in English Civil War and Restoration Era executions, and I suppose that could also make sense since there was such upheaval at those times.

[Liselotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! It was very informative and had some really nice illustrations throughout, like Shire Library books. I wish they would go more in depth about how bad hanging actually was (I mean, people's bodies split in TWO because of it sometimes, like??? That doesn't sound like a good death does it?) but there's only so much information you can cram into about 60 pages book. All in all, I do recommend it if you want to have a basic course on executions!

[Aileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short Shire book giving the history of the methods of executions used in this country. Some copied from other countries. Illustrated mostly by gruesome woodcuts and drawings, but ending with a photograph of Ruth Ellis. Some interesting facts and figures included.

[Roger Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good summary of executions in Great Britain.