Friday, 7 November 2014

Murder as Entertainment


This particular gibbet is Winter’s Gibbet, in Northumberland, named after William Winter who was hung at Newcastle’s Westgate prior to the Victorian era in 1792.


                           
I was scrolling through the BBC News website when I came across an article entitled, “Day out at the gallows and other bygone photographic oddities”. It was the first half of this title, “Day out at the gallows”, and the accompanying image (see above) that grabbed my attention. How could visiting the gallows be a family day out? I was fascinated by the notion that Victorian families could enjoy what is essentially the murder of another human being so much so that they would gather for a family photograph beneath a noose and wooden head. This led me in to thinking about Victorian families going out to see the act of public hanging itself.

Public hangings were an extremely popular form of entertainment in Victorian London particularly. They were a spectacle enjoyed by men, women and children of all ages and classes, until the Capital Punishment Amendment Act (1868) banned the practice of public execution. Two writers that are accredited with being very influential in getting this Act passed were Charles Dickens and William Thackeray. Both of these men famously wrote about the spectacle of public hanging.

Dickens' letter to The Times
In a letter to The Times dated 13th November 1849 (see above image), Dickens describes the “wickedness and levity” (43) of the “immense crowd” (43) that had gathered to watch the hanging of Marie and Frederick Manning. Their crime, which became known as the ‘Bermondsey Horror’, was murdering Marie’s former lover and attempting to run away with his money. This was the first time in over a century that a husband and wife had been executed together and this fact added to the public excitement and, consequently, a crowd of between 30,000 and 50,000 spectators assembled to watch.

Dickens despairs at what he perceives to be the immoral levity of the crowd, and he describes in detail the “offensive and foul behaviour” (43) and “tumultuous demonstrations of indecent delight” (43) that he observes. Yet his descriptions of the crowd and the “two miserable creatures” (43) that were “turned quivering in the wind” (43) have an element of morbid fascination to them that are not dissimilar to the enjoyment and intrigue of the crowd itself.  Dickens’ is a very negative view of the watching crowd. He employs copious amounts of harsh adjectives to describe the “brutal mirth” (43) of the people gathered, and he writes that their behaviour and attitude towards the scene they had come to witness made his “blood run cold” (43).     

There is a very noticeable difference between Dickens’ account of the Manning executions and William Thackeray’s essay entitled, “Going to see a man hanged” (dated July 1840). Thackeray attended the execution of Francois Benjamin Courvoisier, along with a crowd of 40,000 others (The Victorian Daily). His descriptions of the crowd are far more positive in comparison to Dickens’, and he is far more condemning of the actual act of public hanging itself. Thackeray writes in his essay, “I fully confess that I came away down Snow Hill that morning with a disgust for murder, but it was for the murder I saw done” (10).

 
Courvoisier’s case generated a huge amount of public interest and broadsides (such as the one in the image above) were kept as souvenirs by those who attended the public hangings. 
 Although Thackeray’s descriptions agree with Dickens’ in regards to the “festive” (Thackeray 5) atmosphere of the crowd, he portrays the spectators as “extraordinarily gentle and good-humoured” (4) in contrast to Dickens who perceives them to be “inconceivably awful” (43) and “atrocious” (43). Dickens notes that “swooning women were dragged out of the crowd” (43), but Thackeray makes a point of stating that “a dozen people were ready to give the woman protection” (5) and that “round the women the men ha[d] formed a circle, and ke[pt] them as much as possible out of the rush and trample” (5).

Thackeray’s essay alludes to the practice of “tak[ing] a window” (3). He observes how “The windows of the shops opposite are now pretty nearly filled by the persons who hired them” (7). Those that owned or were tenants of the shops and homes with a view of the gallows were able to rent out their rooms for a fee. In Horsemonger Lane, for letting out their rooms with a view for just one public hanging, tenants could make a minimum of the cost of a year’s rent (The Victorian Daily).
 
At Horsemonger Lane Gaol, public hangings took place on the roof. Those whose homes or businesses overlooked the building could make a lot of money in letting out their rooms for the ‘event’.

 Both Thackeray and Dickens are concerned about how desensitised people are to the public hangings – they are willingly and unflinchingly witnessing murder. Dickens writes despairingly of the fact that after the Mannings were hung, there was “no more emotion, no more pity, no more thought that two immortal souls had gone to judgement, nor more restraint in any of the previous obscenities, than if the name of Christ had never been heard in this world” (43). Thackeray shares a similar fear and worry in relation to the public’s desensitisation to the “butchery” (10) of public hanging. He says that the “punishment had grown to be a joke” (7) and that it was not until fifteen minutes prior to the allotted time of death that the crowd began to “think about the man [they] were going to see hanged” (7).

Dickens and Thackeray both end their writings with a prayer of sorts; appealing to God to end the abhorrent act of public hanging that was, as Dickens believed, contaminating and corrupting the country. Dickens ends his letter with the following direct appeal to the reader: “And when in our prayers and thanksgivings for the season we are humbly expressing before God our desire to remove the moral evils of the land, I would ask your readers to consider whether it is not time to think of this one, and to root it out” (44). Dickens is clearly very much against, not capital punishment itself, but the public executions that were taking place in Victorian London. Thackeray, on the other hand, is against capital punishment completely. He ends his essay with a similar plea and on an even more despairing note: “I feel myself ashamed and degraded at the brutal curiosity which took me to that brutal sight; and that I pray to Almighty God to cause this disgraceful sin to pass from among us, and to cleanse our land of blood” (10).






Works Cited:

Dickens, Charles. ‘Letter No. 013” Letters of Note: Correspondence Deserving Of A Wider Audience. Ed. Usher, Shaun. Edinburgh: Cannongate Books Ltd., 2013. Print.

Thackeray, William. “Going to see a man hanged” The Ex-Classics Website. Web. 4th December 2014. http://www.exclassics.com/newgate/courv.htm

Islay, Mathilda. “The Spectacle of Execution part 2”. The Victorian Daily. 25th September 2011. Web. 4th November 2014. http://thevictoriandaily.com/?tag=executions

BBC. “Day out at the gallows and other bygone photographic oddities”. BBC NEWS Magazine. September 2014. Web. 4th November 2014.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29246071




65 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed reading this Beth, it just seems so bizarre that hangings were such a popular form of entertainment for the Victorians. I wonder why Dickens didn't find enjoyment from watching the hangings, like almost everybody else in Victorian London did...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm glad you enjoyed reading this, Daniel. It is bizarre, isn't it? It is amazing how what is culturally and socially acceptable changes over time.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really enjoy reading your blog because it entertain.. Here we have a new source of Entertainment in terms of Roku..Roku Assist helping people out in getting their My Roku Com Link

    ReplyDelete
  4. Entertainment is the dose for survival. and roku is place where you get your daily dose. And Rokucoms is provide you the best service in activating your My Roku Com Link

    ReplyDelete
  5. Pineapple Express is definitely an underrated movie. I think the problem with thissolarmovies.co is that a lot people will pass this off as your average stoner comedy, which technically it is, but it is actually a lot more than that, and I think the problem with this movie is that most people didn't really 'get it'.

    ReplyDelete
  6. In the United States, more and more people are taking advantage of using their personal computers to gain unlimited access to the world of entertainment in the form of movie https://freenetflixacc2019.weebly.com/ Movies are available in the comfort of one's home by the simple click of a mouse. In this technologically oriented era of highly developed software programs, movie downloads have come to be an every day practice. Movie players are a form of software for the computer that allows movies to be played. There are many different versions of movie players available.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Boys love super heroes, cool gadgets, fast cars and space ships, there was never any doubt about that, but that is not the whole story. They also like using their imagination and applying their hunger for adventures. Here we have compiled our list of what are the most popular birthday party themes for boys and although there may not be many surprises, hopefully these results will still give you some good ideas for your birthday party. Bucks party

    ReplyDelete
  8. Roku is a very incredible machine that gives you the best Television services at your home rokucoms.com Please at http://rokucoms.com/ to get services

    ReplyDelete
  9. Rokucoms.com streaming players are a more convenient and cost effective way to watch TV. Just plug it into your TV, connect to the internet, set up a Roku account, and start streaming your favourites.

    ReplyDelete
  10. The movie industry in the world has grown in popularity and it is a multibillion-dollar business from Hollywood to Bollywood; many fans have kept themselves glued to the screens over the decades with new releases happening all the time. The movies can be watched at home or in movie theaters. koktale

    ReplyDelete
  11. Outstanding post, I conceive website owners should learn a lot from this blog its real user pleasant. sacred games season 1 episode 2

    ReplyDelete
  12. I remember reading somewhere that at public hangings in the 18th/19th centuries bets were taken on the rspidity of the despatch of the prisoner. Anyone have a reference please?

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am a technical writer based at Tampa, USA and I have been writing blogs on many technical products that have impressed me so far. When it comes to streaming, I have explored a lot of devices. But I have never come across a product like Roku. It is fabulous and more dynamic in design. The shape resembles a Pendrive yet it could bring you loads of Entertainment. The features of the Roku player are pretty decent and especially the enhanced voice search is what impressed me the most. The search provides me almost every movie that I like
    My blogs:
    Roku.com/link
    Roku.com/link create account
    Roku.com/link activate account
    Roku.com/link activate
    Roku.com/link activation
    Roku.com/link account
    Roku.com/link setup
    www.Roku.com/link
    Roku.com/link code
    Roku com link
    Roku com link code
    Roku com link create account
    Roku com link activate
    Roku com link activate account
    Roku com link activation
    Roku com link setup
    Roku com link account
    Roku activation code

    ReplyDelete
  14. Get Roku.com/link Easy step to activate roku link code with new roku account & Existing roku account , Call 1 845 795 3510 To Link or activate Any Channel at roku.com/link.

    ReplyDelete
  15. roku.com/link is the official web page to link your Roku device & all you need to do is to enter the Roku activation unique code on the url.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm really enjoyed reading this, It is amazing how what is culturally and socially acceptable changes over time.
    Here we suggest you a new source of Entertainment in terms of Roku.For more interesting Detail about Roku visit at Roku.Com/Link

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for sharing such valuable information with us. I loved to read this post. Please keep going with such good articles
    showtimeanytime.com/activate

    ReplyDelete
  18. A very well written knowledgeable and informative blog. Loved it. However, if you are looking for a similar solution to the problem then you must visit the website at our profile. Activate Roku.com/link

    ReplyDelete
  19. Getting issues while go for roku activation, don't worry ! We have the perfect solution to fix roku.com/link issues. If you still facing problems you can call us or leave a missed call at +1 845 795 3510

    ReplyDelete
  20. Mcafee setup provides you’re the highly secure antivirus software that protects your PC and
    Laptops from threats, viruses, and Malware. install the software on your
    Devices by visiting.
    mcafee.com/activate

    ReplyDelete
  21. Norton is a reputed and cost-effective antivirus suite
    company which offers protection so that no virus can damage
    your computer. It also provides many other products and
    services apart from antivirus.

    norton.com/setup

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thanks , I’ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your site? putlocker

    ReplyDelete
  23. Are you facing troubles regarding your Garmin map update devices? Is the device showing you the wrong address? Or You can't navigate? No need to trouble your mind any more. Just simply visit our website garminmapupdated.com all your queries will be answered in quick succession.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ring Doorbell Pro Troubleshooting
    Hey you want some information regarding ring doorbell pro troubleshooting just simply dial tollfree number. 1-888-403-0508. We have a team of experts who have full knowledge regarding all your issues for ring doorbell or you can also visit our website https://doorbelltroubleshooting.com/ring-doorbell-troubleshooting/

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ring Doorbell Night Vision Not Working

    Is your ring doorbell night vision not working or it was working fine before but suddenly it stopped working no need to trouble your mind any more just dial our tollfree number. 1-888-403-0508. Or you can also visit our website https://doorbelltroubleshooting.com/ring-doorbell-troubleshooting

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ring Doorbell Pro Light Not Spinning

    Is your Ring doorbell pro light spinning and you have tried a lot to fix this matter. No need to trouble your mind just dial our tollfree number 1-888-403-0508 We have a technicall team for all your queries regarding ring doorbell so just relax you can also visit our website https://doorbelltroubleshooting.com/ring-doorbell-not-detecting-

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ring Doorbell Not Connecting

    Ring is a smart home security product which offers a variety of product such as Ring doorbell, Ringvideo doorbell, etc. If your Ring doorbell is not connecting to wifi then just unplug the internetrouter for a minute. Your problem regarding ring doorbell not connecting will be solved in quicksuccession but still if have the same trouble over you just dial our tollfree number. 1-888-403-0508.Or visit our website https://doorbelltroubleshooting.com/ring-doorbell-2-troubleshooting/

    ReplyDelete
  28. Ring Floodlight Problems

    Are you facing problem regarding your Ring floodlight camera is it not working or not recordinganything no need to trouble your mind any more just simply dial our tollfree number. 1-888-403-0508.Or visit our website https://doorbelltroubleshooting.com/ring-doorbell-not-working/

    ReplyDelete
  29. Ring Doorbell Troubleshooting

    Ring doorbell pro not connecting to wifiIs your ring doorbell pro not connecting to wifi? Try to unplug your your internet router wait for aminute and then plug it back again. If still you are facing the same trouble just simply dial ourtollfree number. 1-888-403-0508. Or visit our website https://doorbelltroubleshooting.com/ring-doorbell-troubleshooting/

    ReplyDelete
  30. My travel life have been easier with My Garmin Express. Plus I can get all the additional knowledge through their blogs. I use the Garmin app and is totally upto the mark. I recommend everyone to use Garmin Map Update and get Garmin life time map update or call +1-888-309-0939 for instant help from Garmin GPS experts.

    ReplyDelete
  31. 123movies. restrictions or demonitization only.

    Reply

    ReplyDelete
  32. You can easly Fix No Internet Secured Connection Error on HP Laptop. When Internet connection not working problem then open network adapter and enable/disable wifi.So, it might be a good idea to upgrade the software and Windows at the same time.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Roku devices are simple to set-up & easy to use. They come with simple remote & powerful features like Roku Search which makes it effortless to find what you want to watch. Connect to an internet network and register the streaming device with an account on the roku.com/link. Most home broadband services support Roku devices.

    ReplyDelete

  34. For those who want Government Jobs Latest Update and news; this is the website to come. A lot of articles are available for free reading. Latest Government Jobs in India - Employment News of Central and State Governments, Govt Undertaking, Public Sector, Railway and Bank Jobs in India.

    Job in Delhi
    Jobs in Mumbai
    Jobs in India

    ReplyDelete
  35. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Female To Male Body Massage At Home

    This is very famous massage amongst our customers where in, our female masseurs massage our male clients with complete dedication and soft hands.
    Our Female masseurs and well trained experts and take care of each client in the same manner. They know what excites you and helps you in stress relief and also to find utmost pleasure. Although, they are trained, they are completely open to any suggestions or any particular way you like to be massaged.if you want to take relax and fun than visit: body massage in banglore

    ReplyDelete
  37. Online movie forums thrive because it's a cool way for viewers to become a movie critic from their computer and express their uncensored audience opinion. That is one of things I love about the social medium. lyrics dorm

    ReplyDelete
  38. Amazon PrimeVideo is an amazing platform for watching web series, but it's very difficult to activate primevideo.com/mytv on your smart device. Visit Given link to primevideo.com/mytv enter code and enjoy. Visit - primevideo mytv activate

    ReplyDelete
  39. Only wanna input on few general things, The website layout is perfect, the written content is rattling superb . amazon credit builder

    ReplyDelete
  40. Garmin express update can be performed easily. For Garmin express update, go to the setting of Garmin express, check about and look for updates.Garmin Express offers features like updating maps and software, registering your drive etc. Garmin express is a simple procedure through which you can update your Garmin express application.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Using Garmin express application you can connect with your friends and family so as to boost up and compete in monthly or weekly challenges. Garmin Express to update maps and software, sync with Garmin Connect and register your device.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thanks for sharing your inspiring blog the information was very useful. you will first have to sign-up and create your account to further fubo.tv/activate your services. After you have created the account, you can download the application on your streaming device. You can even login with fubo.tv/Connect enter code later if you forget your email id or password.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Continuously i used to read smaller posts that as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this article!...

    Hi
    My Name Boden Martin
    We are an outsiders technical support suppliers for MSN Homepage Restore. If you facing any problem in MSN Homepage Restore Get instant help for MSN Homepage setup Call @ 1 (800) 674-9312.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi
    My Name Boden Martin
    We are an outsiders technical support suppliers for Recovering google account. If you facing any problem in Recovering google account Get instant help for Google account setup Call @ 1 (800) 674-9312.

    ReplyDelete
  45. If you are a new cash app user who doesn't know how to add money to your wallet or even if you are an existing user and you are unable to add money to your wallet. Do not worry at all we provide customer care support services with experts and trained executives who will fix all such problems completely.
    Withdraw Money Without Cash App Card

    ReplyDelete
  46. Contingent upon the chose store speed, your money application account equilibrium will be kept in your financial balance. Some of the time, you won't get the sum in your bank because of specialized issues. In such a case, you should sit tight for at any rate three to four business days to get your cash gotten comfortable your financial balance. Even after, in the event that you didn't get the assets, at that point you should contact money application client assistance for help.
    Withdraw From Cash App Without Cardg

    ReplyDelete
  47. Thank you so much for this post I felt really great after reading it
    MSN CUSTOMER SERVICE

    ReplyDelete
  48. Cool blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Thanks a lot
    AOL Customer Service

    ReplyDelete
  49. Very interesting, fantastic job and thanks for sharing such a fantastic blog.
    make AOL my homepage

    ReplyDelete
  50. The technical support group is there to give certifiable answers for all the issues you face while utilizing any of the specialized item accessible out there on the lookout.
    thanks for sharing such a good blog, great job!
    ifix trouble

    ReplyDelete
  51. You are watching FuboTV on a web browser on your PC, then try reloading the FuboTV. Users can press CTRL and F5 keys together on the FuboTV webpage to execute a hard refresh. You can verify it by connecting other devices to the internet and check the speed.FuboTV app resolves most Fubo streaming platform errors. Fubo.tv/Activate

    ReplyDelete
  52. Rent a PC provides Desktops Laptops for a rental basis from a few days, months or even years. Flexible Contracts with Quick Support Laptop on Rent.
    That's Great & Giving so much information after reading your blog. For RentaPC Laptop on Rent
    Great thanks to you
    Laptop on Rent

    ReplyDelete
  53. Really great article !! thanks for sharing your helpful information for us, and I would like to say that please continue sharing your information. And I will say something, we provide service related to GST, ITR, TDS related to all accounts.
    professional tax

    ReplyDelete
  54. Following your business becomes integrated, in 30 days,
    Compliance Under Companies Act 2013

    ReplyDelete
  55. Bypass MSN Password > immediately check the readily available information on MSN account. The information there can help you big time. But if that doesn’t happen, you also have the option to get help via email, live chat or community page about your MSN account. If still you don’t find your issue solved then you can dial MSN customer service number to get help related to your MSN account.

    Bypass MSN Password

    MSN Customer Service

    Change MSN Password

    MSN Pop-Imap Smtp Setting

    MSN Solution Center

    ReplyDelete
  56. Watch latest movies, latest shows, Live Channels, Latest Series with multi-language and 4k quality. Prime iptv service provide you premium services at very affordable prices. for free trail call us. also visit our website. Reach Us

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Feel free to contact us.+1-323-739-7110

      Delete
  57. Are you looking iptv in USA? Prime iptv service provide you best iptv service and enhance your TV quality and convert the old to smart TV. For free trail call us. +1-323-739-7110 also visit our website. REACH US

    ReplyDelete
  58. order tramadol usa Buy tramadol online directed by doctors, this medicine is used for moderate to severe pain.


    silversingles login silver singles login uses an algorithm that matches you with people based on your personality, location, age, and desired relationship outcomes.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Creativity for events entertainment is becoming an essential necessity to the outcome of any event. Clients are looking for that talking point of the night and are requesting for something "different". Event Managers are being stretched when it comes to creating imaginative entertainment ideas to find something brand new for their client. Here are a list of some tips and ideas as to how you can bring something new to the table when it comes to live events entertainment and performances. Nashville strippers

    ReplyDelete
  60. Creativity for events entertainment is becoming an essential necessity to the outcome of any event. Clients are looking for that talking point of the night and are requesting for something "different". Event Managers are being stretched when it comes to creating imaginative entertainment ideas to find something brand new for their client. Here are a list of some tips and ideas as to how you can bring something new to the table when it comes to live events entertainment and performances. Hamptons strippers

    ReplyDelete
  61. If you are doing video camera shopping on the Internet, you will be in for a surprise when you see the wide range of them on sale. When you walk into the store, you will certainly find the various brands of them. rent party characters

    ReplyDelete
  62. Creativity for events entertainment is becoming an essential necessity to the outcome of any event. Clients are looking for that talking point of the night and are requesting for something "different". Event Managers are being stretched when it comes to creating imaginative entertainment ideas to find something brand new for their client. Here are a list of some tips and ideas as to how you can bring something new to the table when it comes to live events entertainment and performances. hire strippers in Blue Ridge

    ReplyDelete