Faraday was able to avoid the attack, and with help from one of the men was able to finally subdue Michael as well, but not before Michael had bitten him in the hand and fought and kicked like a maniac in his efforts to escape. What happened next was described in chilling detail at the trial by the boy, William Higgins, who was asleep in the room upstairs. An interesting relic of this age is the branding iron in the dock. Given a chance to speak the men all pleaded innocence. Lancaster Castle | Lancashire, England | Ultimate guide of Castles In the early 18th Century there were still a number of Quakers held for non-payment of tythes. [52] The remaining Wery Wall measures 4m 3m 3m and consists of only rubble due to the facing stones having been reused elsewhere. The castle has been the scene of notable trials, hundreds of executions and has housed prisoners of various categories until as recently as 2011. Women and men would spend 10 hour days working them in teams of four. On Wednesday 26th April, the tours will consist of the courtyards only as A-Wing is being used for a private event. This course takes an innovative approach to exploring history, focusing on Lancaster Castle as a microcosm of broader trends. The castle also served as a debtors' prison. Lancaster Castle was one of the first gaols in England to segregate its inmates by age and gender. England. A Dark History | Lancaster Castle : Lancaster Castle [3] After the Norman Conquest in the second half of the 11thcentury, Lancaster was part of the Earldom of Northumbria; it was claimed by the kings of England and Scotland. According to Faraday it was a little after ten oclock when the McKeans reached the public house. Our guided tours unlock the fascinating, and often macabre, heritage of this imposing and historically significant monument. Includes the Shire Hall and courtrooms. The castle is still a working court and prison and famous trials include the Lancashire . On hearing her voice William Higgins chased after her and together they roused the neighbourhood. In response, the Royalists dispatched an army to retake Lancaster. Read More Thomas Holden sentenced to 7 years Transportation to Australia for 'Administering An Illegal Oath' to Isaac Crompton. This is the story of a tradesman incarcerated for insolvency. The judge left this for the Jury to reflect upon, but then touched on the question of motive. Given this fact, Michaels crime was murder in the second degree, which carried the same penalty as Alexanders crime. On Wednesday 26th April, the tours will consist of the courtyards only as A-Wing is being used for a private event. The Lancaster Martyrs: During this period of history fifteen Catholics were executed in Lancaster for their faith. 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. It was the practice of the gaoler to raise the convicted persons hand to show the judge that a fair mark had been made. Ely Dyson saw James Ashcroft jnr and his uncle leaving the house at around 4 oclock, carrying small bundles. William heard her tell Alexander to be quiet-have done-let me alone. The boy assumed that Alexander wanted a kiss and thought nothing of it until he realised that Betty had a knife at her throat. However, when Henry Duke of Lancaster ascended the throne as King HenryIV in 1399, he almost immediately began adding the monumental gatehouse. It seems that at no time did any of them try to hide, or disguise who they were. 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. The maid was the ill-fated Elizabeth Betty Bate. [10] Building in stone was expensive and time-consuming. And Joseph Bleares found himself, at last, the master of what was undoubtedly a going concern.. (Image: Manchester Evening News) The castle also served as a prison from the 17th century, housing prisoners up to the year 2011. The castle has around a thousand years of rich history. On the day of the murders Holden had paid a visit to the barber, while Hannah herself was described as looking spruce. Questions were repeatedly asked as to whether Hannah was seeing a man, to which Littlewood always replied that she wasnt, but much was made of her beauty, and if Holden and she were involved a lot might be explained about the various sightings on the day of the murders. The standard minimum charge for transporting a prisoner to the colonies was 8.10s 2d but this could rise to as much as 12. The men were walking slowly in the direction of Appleby and he noted that they looked very weary. On the 8th the area around Hanging Corner was thronged with people. Still a crown court, the majority of the castle is now open . ", "New Phase of Works Starts at Lancaster Castle", "Place North West - Contractor picked for second phase of Lancaster Castle restoration", "Conservation Works to Continue Until September 2019", "Lancaster Castle to open for Jubilee and Witch trial anniversary", "Ancient Monuments: Part of a Roman fort and its associated vicus and remains of a pre-Conquest monastery and a Benedictine priory on Castle Hill (1020668)", "Scheduled Ancient Monument - Castle Hill and Vicarage Fields", "RADCLIFFE, Thomas (d.1403), of Winmarleigh and Astley, Lancs", Lancaster Castle official site from Lancashire County Council, Lancaster Castle official site from the Duchy of Lancaster, History of Lancaster Castle Prison from theprison.org.uk, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lancaster_Castle&oldid=1130728968, Buildings and structures in Lancaster, Lancashire, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the ODNB, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 31 December 2022, at 17:46. He obtained help from a local publican and auctioneer, a Mr Richard Faraday- described as a spirited individual- and together they set off in pursuit of the McKeans. For most of its history, it was used as a prison and the castle gave Lancaster the nickname of "The Hanging Town". Why bother going upstairs where there was a potential witness in the shape of William Higgins? They arrived in Lancaster to find the streets thronged with people and the air filled with hooting and hissing and maledictions against the bloody murderers. Eventually the coach stopped in the market place where the prisoners alighted. A manhunt began, with posters bearing very accurate descriptions of both men being despatched to all corners of the county. Lancaster Castle: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor Borstal Prison, later Borstal Institution (Young Offenders) Canterbury, County Gaol 1808 Chatham Convict Prison 1853 Maidstone, County Gaol 1817 Rochester Convict Prison, now a Prison for Women 1873 Lancashire Lancaster Castle 17 th C; Liverpool City Gaol 1854 Manchester, County Gaol 1869 Preston, County Gaol 1799 Strangeways (Manchester) Prison In 1092, WilliamII established a permanent border with Scotland further to the north by capturing Carlisle. A History of Lancaster - Local Histories 1788 saw a new Gaolers House constructed between the Gatehouse and the Well Tower and this still stands. This fascinating location provides a wealth of evidence from the remains of Roman forts to its life as a prison and visitor attraction. Get all the latest updates from Lancaster Castle. The Judge now asked Alexander if he wished to speak. He seems to have given a cogent and simple account of what must have been a terrifying ordeal. [28], Those sentenced to death before c. 1800 at the castle were usually taken to Lancaster Moor, near where the Ashton Memorial now stands, to be hanged. The Honour changed hands several times. He was careful not to arouse their suspicions and merely acknowledged them before riding past. Michael claimed that Bleares struck Alexander at the same time for no reason. In addition to its role as a fortress and a prison, the castle has also been used as a court and an execution site. More building work followed in the 1790s with a new prison constructed for female felons and another for male felons,as well as anew areas for debtors that included an open arcade where they could shelter in bad weather. 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. A prison cell in Lancaster Castle. 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. The Shire Hall is currently not accessible for tours while work is undertaken to upgrade the Fire Alarm. [40], The latest phase, started in September 2017 and completed in November 2019, has opened up the former prison kitchen yard. 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. Mrs Bleares had spent the evening mostly in the kitchen, but when the other customers finally left the pub Michael approached her and asked for a bed for the night, saying that it was too late to return to Manchester especially as he had a deal of money on him. Lancaster Castle is still used today as a Crown Court. Self-procalimed 'King of the Robbers' George Lyon was not quite the romantic figure that local legend would have us believe. Hunted men now, their details posted for miles around and with a price on their heads, the McKeans were on the run. It was agreed that after Stephen died, he would be succeeded by Henry Plantagenet (later King HenryII), Matilda's son. Alexander asked her whether her husband slept soundly when he got liquor, although why he should want to know this puzzled her. A recent extension of the Home Office lease means that the use of the castle as . He watched as they stopped by a stream to drink and cool their feet. Visitors to Lancaster Castle are advised to check opening times by telephoning 01524 64998. With breathtaking speed, a person could stand trial, be convicted, and within forty-eight hours be in their grave. 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. On Monday August 21st 1826 two brothers, Alexander and Michael McKean went to the gallows in Lancaster for the murder of Elizabeth Bate. Five places in Lancaster that are haunted by witches, prisoners, an England List of Notable Prisons - International Institute Lancaster castle looks for a new role | North of England - The Guardian A choice of 22 rooms was available, priced from 5s (25p) to 30s (1.50p). The Friars took oaths of poverty and chastity like monks but instead of withdrawing from the world they went out and preached. The turnkey (prison officer) in charge of the wheelhouse was in full control and shouted out his orders each time the wheelhouse clock chimed the five-minute interval. 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. Lancaster Castle has long been associated with both the trial of criminals and their detention. The poker was still there, but bent and very bloody. The scene inside the pub was one of carnage. More damningly, James Ashcroft snr had allegedly confessed his guilt to a cellmate while in gaol in Manchester awaiting trial. 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. Part of the prison is used as a major drugs rehabilitation unit. By the time the defendants in the Pendleton case reached court the assize had been sitting for over a week. The first one was installed in 1822. The Quakers of Lancaster Castle | Lancaster Castle [10] His successor, HenryIII also spent large sums on Lancaster: 200 in 1243 and 250 in 1254 for work on the gatehouse and creating a stone curtain wall. Insolvent debtors were required to work within the prison and, in return, received, 3ozs bread and 4ozs oatmeal daily, and 1oz salt and 10lb potatoes weekly. By 1801, executions were no longer being carried out at the area known as Tiburn on Lancaster Moor. Children in Prison In the face of this kind of testimony the defence counsel had little to offer. She was arrested in 1684 after leaving a Quaker meeting and brought to the castle prison. England. This, coupled with the fact that in 1604 the Witchcraft Act of Parliament had been passed under King James, meant that the accused were ina very serious trouble. It had been a busy assize, one which resulted in a higher than usual number of executions. This role morphed into that ofJustices of the Peace who would work at the castlepresiding over the trying of minor crimes, in four sessions a year. Lancaster Castle is a medieval castle and former prison in Lancaster in the English county of Lancashire. Out of 200 executions at Lancaster Castle, only 43 were for murder; other crimes included burglary, passing forged notes, robbery and cattle-stealing. Its early history is unclear, but it may have been founded in the 11thcentury on the site of a Roman fort overlooking a crossing of the River Lune. Crime & Punishment | Lancaster Castle : Lancaster Castle New out groups were targeted, including numerous Quakers. The buildings were surveyed and repair work estimated at 1,957. Lancasters Custom House and Maritime Museum, Lancaster Castle: A Brief History, John Champness (1993), Lancashire County Books, Life In Georgian Lancaster, Andrew White (2004) Carnegie Publishing, Lancaster Castle: 1000 Years of Royal Heritage, Justice, Felony and Incarceration, leaflet (undated circa 2016) available from Lancashire Tourist Information office, printed by Lancaster Castle, http://www.lancastercastle.com/history-heritage/a-dark-history/crime-punishment/, http://www.quakersintheworld.org/quakers-in-action/12/George-Fox, If you would like to know each time a new piece is published, just enter your email below and click 'Follow', Lancaster Castle : The Prisons andCourts, Lancaster Castle : The Fortress Lancashire Past, Lancasters Lost Roman Fort Lancashire Past, Lancaster Roman Baths and Wery Wall Lancashire Past, The Customs House : Lancaster Maritime Museum Lancashire Past, Upholland Priory, a Benedictine Monastery, near Wigan Lancashire Past, The Strange Tale of Edward Kelley at Walton-le-Dale Lancashire Past, Greenhalgh Castle, Garstang Lancashire Past, The Ruskin Library and Museum, Lancaster Lancashire Past, Galgate Silk Mill, Galgate near Lancaster Lancashire Past, A History of the Ashton Memorial, Lancaster Lancashire Past. Lancaster Castle : The Prisons and Courts - Lancashire Past It deals with trials of the more serious criminal offences, the sentencing of offenders committed for sentence by magistrates courts and appeals from lower courts. Until 2011 it was a fully functioning HM Prison and was also Europe's longest-serving prison. A new Crown Court and Shire Hall were also added in the same decade. Based on a semi-circle, five tiers of cells could be surveyed from a central control room. Theirs was the last case to be heard. Any discovered in Lancashire were taken to Lancaster Castle for trial. 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. Lancaster Castle was used as the main gaol in the city. [10], The main entrance is through a 20-metre-high (66ft) gatehouse built at the start of the 15th century. Often they were mixed in with other categories of prisoners and overcrowding began to be a real problem. About 1260 Dominican friars came to Lancaster and founded a friary east of the town roughly where Dalton Square is today. One of the most famous and dramatic events to take place in Lancashire occurred over 400 years ago in 1612, and has since formed the basis of novels, and radio and television programmes. The Lancaster Martyrs: During this period of history fifteen Catholics were executed in Lancaster for their faith. Although urged repeatedly to admit to the real reason behind his murder of Betty Bate Alexander refused to ever do so. Lancaster Castle - Wikipedia Although the exterior was refaced in the 18thcentury, medieval stonework is visible in the interior. The large internal courtyard is now accessible to the public, for the first time in decades. His records show thatwomen slept in the day room while men slept in the now demolished dungeon tower. [31], Between 1931 and 1937 the castle was used by the county council to train police officers. [17] Since then, the castle has remained in the ownership of the Crown. 2 Is Lancaster Castle still a court? Lancaster Castle opens fully to the public - BBC News Lancaster Gaol housed one of the largest Debtor's prisons in George and Elizabeth Youngson were Lancaster's youngest convict transportees to Australia, for the crime of theft. This shed remained until the mid-20th Century, allegedly still containing the Gallows. Are not the men here in safe custody and will not justice have its course with them? The business was not prosperous, and Blears regretted taking having taken it on. It is 20 metres (66 feet) high with four storeys; each floor divided into two rooms. The oak timbers in the Keep's undercroft were shown to have been felled in AD 1380s, whilst those from the Great Hall were probably felled slightly later, towards the end of the fourteenth century or very early-fifteenth century. RM EPHG7C - Inside a cell at Lancaster Prison, part of the Castle in the city of Lancaster, England. He described his incarceration: Then I was put into a tower where the smoke of the other prisoners came up so thick that I could scarcely see the candle that it burned, Besides it rained in upon my bed in this manner did I lie all that long cold winter till the next assizes; in which time I was so starved with cold and rain, and my body so greatly swelled and my limbs benumbed.. In the event of an assault, the keep formed the last line of defence. The case had excited enormous public interest with its hints of sexual liaisons, the accusations of corruption against the deeply unpopular Nadin, and the continued refusal of the condemned to admit their guilt. The Castle Courtyard opened to the public seven days a week in May 2013 and now has a cafe, NICE @ The Castle and regular events now take place every month. Lancaster Gaol housed one of the largest Debtor's prisons in The gaol was re-opened by the Home Office in 1955. Minus her cap and bleeding heavily, the knife still embedded in her face, she ran from the house and staggered the sixty yards to the home of Mary Andrews, her niece. Out of 200 executions at Lancaster Castle, only 43 were for murder; other crimes included burglary, passing forged notes, robbery and cattle-stealing. If the debtor still had access to money, life was quite different. Quakerism was founded by George Fox who first visited Lancashire in 1652 and subsequently made Swarthmoor Hall (the home of Judge Fell), near Ulverston, the headquarters of the Religious Society of Friends, more commonly known as the Quakers. 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. The men were arrested the next day, Sunday, by Joseph Nadin, the Deputy Constable of Manchester. 3 Can you go inside Lancaster Castle? Lancaster Castle is a fantastic museum to explore. The next person to catch sight of anyone was a friend of Hannahs, Harriet Trowel, who called at the house around 4pm. The last part of the journey was to be on foot, up the hill to the castle. George and Elizabeth Youngson were Lancaster's youngest convict transportees to Australia, for the crime of theft. The first one was installed in 1822. They were allowed to rest for five minutes in every twenty. 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. The outer defences fell in March; a siege of the castle lasted just two days as Parliamentarian reinforcements were heading to Lancaster from Preston. This was the origin of the lay magistracy in England and Wales. Famous prisoners included Father Edmund Arrowsmith who was a Roman Catholic priest who said Mass in the Brindle area between Blackburn and Preston. [26] The Shire Hall and Crown Court were complete by 1798. Faraday knocked him down but Michael realised what was happening and attacked Faraday with a stick. He told them of his future plans and invited them both to stay the night. The gatehouse Henry replaced was probably a simple structure, no more than a passage between two towers, but the rebuilt structure rivalled the keep as the strongest part of the castle. If it was Roger who began construction, the structure would have been built of timber, probably incorporating the earthworks of the Roman fort into its defences. Limited tours, lasting 30 minutes, take place throughout the day but only cover the external courtyards and one of the prison buildings. The family originated from Dumfries, where both men had been born, and where one of their two older brothers, William, still lived. 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. In 1166 the first assizes courtwas recorded and in 1196 therewas the first written reference to a gaol. They could buy newspapers, food and clothing, follow their trades or professions, and have visitors from 8 am to 8 pm. March 25th 1865. Executions | Lancaster Castle : Lancaster Castle 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?
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