It was agreed that after Stephen died, he would be succeeded by Henry Plantagenet (later King HenryII), Matilda's son. [10], For the next 150years, there is no record of building work, although accounts are incomplete. England. [18] The instruction was not followed, and in August 1648 the town withstood a siege from the Royalist Duke of Hamilton who led an army south from Scotland. Ten people convicted of witchcraft at the Summer Assize in Lancaster Castle went to the gallows on the moors above the town. The first one was installed in 1822. For the railway station originally named "Lancaster Castle", see, Governors and constables in England and Wales, 'LANCASTER'S CATHOLIC MARTYRS' BY CHRISTINE GOODIER MA, John Wilson-Patten, 1st Baron Winmarleigh, Listed buildings in Lancaster, Lancashire, "Lancaster Castle prison 'may become tourist spot', "Prisons shutdown unveiled by government", "Judge's plea to keep historic city court open", "Lancaster 'to equal Chester or York' for tourism", "Lancaster Castle, Castle Park, Lancaster: Tree-ring Analysis of Oak and Pine Timbers in the Keep and Gatehouse. She was arrested in 1684 after leaving a Quaker meeting and brought to the castle prison. The last of these prisoners to die here was John Haydock in 1720. On Thursdays and Fridays the tours consist of the courtyards only. Two tread wheels were used as punishment for prisoners sentenced to hard labour in mid 1800s. After 1800 the executions at Lancaster Castle took place at Hanging Corner, in an angle between the tower and the wall on the east side of the terrace steps. These ranged from encounters in the local public house and the butchers shop, to sightings to the men sitting talking, or walking in the vicinity of the Littlewood house. The history of the structure is uncertain. The men arrested for the crimes seemed to have little defence. [17] After ElizabethI was excommunicated in 1570, she retaliated by declaring Roman Catholic priests guilty of high treason. [24], Prison reformer John Howard (17261790) visited Lancaster in 1776 and noted the conditions in the prison. 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. Given a chance to speak the men all pleaded innocence. Out of 200 executions at Lancaster Castle, only 43 were for murder; other crimes included burglary, passing forged notes, robbery and cattle-stealing. Lancaster Castle has long been associated with both the trial of criminals and their detention. The jury retired and after five minutes returned with a guilty verdict on both brothers. None were executed, but some died while detained. Clearly visible, in profile, were the outline and features of a womans face. 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. They returned just two minutes later and pronounced that they had found all four men guilty. Based on a semi-circle, five tiers of cells could be surveyed from a central control room. Get all the latest updates from Lancaster Castle. Between 60 and 73AD, a Roman fort was built at Lancaster on a hill commanding a crossing over the River Lune. [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. George and Elizabeth Youngson were Lancaster's youngest convict transportees to Australia, for the crime of theft. [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. The Norman . [49] Two semi-octagonal towers flank a passageway protected by a portcullis. 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. William was woken by a noise and, by the light of the candle Betty had placed in the window between the two beds, he saw Alexander with his left arm around Betty, who was struggling with him. In the end, after threats were made to report him to the magistrates if he didnt carry out his duty, the constable gave in. In 1166 the first assizes court was recorded and in 1196 there was the first written reference to a gaol. Although urged repeatedly to admit to the real reason behind his murder of Betty Bate Alexander refused to ever do so. The men would die in two days time, on Monday 8th September. 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. [52] In his book The Historic Lands of England, Sir Bernard Burke suggests the wall may have been visible in more places 100 years prior to his writing in 1849. RM B860TG - Lancaster Castle John O Gaunt Gateway Lancaster England UK. One, a Mr Norrys, raised his stick, while another cried out to the crowd: What would you have? The oak timbers in the Gatehouse were probably felled in, or around, AD 1404. Halwell asked Collins if Ashcroft had said anything to him about the murders, to which Collins replied that they were all as innocent as the child unborn. Cross-examined, Collins denied this. Alexander, suspecting nothing, gratefully accepted and as he entered the house he was immediately seized and told by the obviously enthusiastic Faraday that he was his prisoner. Accompanied by others who had responded to Trowels alarm, he finally gained access via an upstairs window. Battlements project over the gatehouse, and would have allowed defenders to rain missiles on attackers immediately below. [52], Letitia Elizabeth Landon's poetical illustration Lancaster Castle., to a picture by Thomas Allom showing the Shire Hall and the Priory, was published in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1837.[54]. New out groups were targeted, including numerous Quakers. It was all to no avail. The Friars took oaths of poverty and chastity like monks but instead of withdrawing from the world they went out and preached. After execution their bodies would be given to the surgeons for dissection. Open every day from 9.30 am- 5.00 pm. There were two beds in the room and the second was the one intended for the McKeans. Finally, just before the trap fell they began to sing a hymn : Ill Praise My Maker While Ive Breath and when, some four minutes later all four men were dead, there was said to be scarcely a tearless eye among the crowd, while many of the women wept aloud, A passing reference in Cross-Fleurys Time-Honoured Lancaster tells of a death-bed confession by the real killer some twenty-six later, although it must be stressed that there is no corroboration for this, and that the book, while an immensely interesting and valuable source, is often reduced to anecdote and gossip for its content. In the bedroom they found more blood but also a black leather stock which was later identified as belonging to Alexander McKean. The castle became a prison in 1196, and still houses male prisoners to this day, although of course, the guided tour does not take you in to the parts of the building which are still a working prison, which is a shame as some of the most . 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. Lancaster Gaol housed one of the largest Debtor's prisons in The mere fact that he had agreed to the act, and that he had taken up a position at the foot of the stairs in order that his brother should not be disturbed in the commission of it, was sufficient to make him as guilty as Alexander. When Michael spoke it was to reiterate what Alexander had said. With breathtaking speed, a person could stand trial, be convicted, and within forty-eight hours be in their grave. It seems that both had their employers trust, for a considerable sum of money, some 160 was left in the house, in an unlocked drawer in an upstairs bedroom. 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. As a result, the king confiscated the Honour of Lancaster, which included the castle. Located in the North of England, the Lancaster castle was built in medieval times and served as a prison for most of the 19th century with rumors, controversies, and wrangle. The events at the house that spring Saturday were gradually pieced together by other evidence. Although the exterior was refaced in the 18thcentury, medieval stonework is visible in the interior. What happened next was described in chilling detail at the trial by the boy, William Higgins, who was asleep in the room upstairs. Are not the men here in safe custody and will not justice have its course with them? Lancaster was once again designated for use as a prison from 1954 onwards when the council leased the castle to the Home Office. There wasalso a separate group of people deemed to be insane who were detained indefinitely, until the county asylum was built. The crowd pressed so close that the gentlemen escorting the brothers had to physically shield them. They were sentenced to five days hard labour or a fine of 7s 6d. The Shire Hall is currently not accessible for tours while work is undertaken to upgrade the Fire Alarm. Thomas Holden sentenced to 7 years Transportation to Australia for 'Administering An Illegal Oath' to Isaac Crompton. Self-procalimed 'King of the Robbers' George Lyon was not quite the romantic figure that local legend would have us believe. [52] The remaining Wery Wall measures 4m 3m 3m and consists of only rubble due to the facing stones having been reused elsewhere. For over 50 years, the Prison Chaplain was Parson Rowley who is said to have attended 170 criminals to their execution. The motive was supposedly theft, as silverware, clothing and a great deal of cash was taken from the house at the same time. Far from accompanying his brother up the stairs as she had assumed, he seemed to be waiting at the bottom, almost as if on guard. Her cry of murder was cut short as McKean cut her throat, but it was enough to rouse William. Today the Castle has entered a new phase of lifeafter theclosure of the prison. This refusal to admit guilt was viewed with horror in an age when the consensus of opinion was that a person about to go to God should have the grace to admit their guilt and beg forgiveness. George and Elizabeth Youngson were Lancaster's youngest convict transportees to Australia, for the crime of theft. 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. [12] In the late 12th and early 13thcentury, many timber castles founded during the Norman Conquest were rebuilt in stone. It is well worth walking around the exterior (at any time) and also the interior courtyard (during opening times) to see the various remaining Medieval buildings and Georgian and Victorian prisons. 5. [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. One witness, Adam Halwell, had taken William Collins to gaol after his arrest and happened to see him on the day he was released. The only question here was what the intent had been on his part: did he know that his brother intended murder? 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 They had, it was said, the ordinary appearance of decent journeymen tradesmen Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge. Forensic science did not exist, and in many cases eye-witness testimony or the most circumstantial of evidence was enough to secure a conviction. The layout of the town was influenced by the Roman fort and the associated civilian settlement; the main road through the town was the route that led east from the fort. The castle was used as a prison ever since the late 12th century. When prisoners finished their 15-minute stint, they would climb down to sit on a stool, whilst the prisoner who had been resting took his place. A lot of the evidence hinged around the shutters on the kitchen window. [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. The castle buildings are owned by the British sovereign as Duke of Lancaster; part of the structure is used to host sittings of the Crown Court. Contents show 1 Who was the last person hanged at Lancaster Castle? [25] Architect Thomas Harrison was commissioned to complete the work. They could buy newspapers, food and clothing, follow their trades or professions, and have visitors from 8 am to 8 pm. The spot chosen became known as Hanging Corner. Throughout its life as a prison, Lancaster Castle has often been viewed as an extremely well-run and humane establishment. There were two other patrons in the bar until about eleven. 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. King James I Conspiracy and Witchcraft Accusations. In response, the Royalists dispatched an army to retake Lancaster. The castle was first used as a prison in 1196 although this aspect became more important during the English Civil War. [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. These were a group ofprisoners that were not going to be flogged, branded, killed, transported or sent to a house of correction. The last execution (of Thomas Rawcliffe, murderer) at Lancaster took place in 1910. From 1196 Lancaster castle was used as a prison. A small Parliamentarian force captured the castle in February 1643, established a garrison and set about building earthworks around the approaches to the town. The standard minimum charge for transporting a prisoner to the colonies was 8.10s 2d but this could rise to as much as 12. Just then the maid appeared and Mrs Bleares told her to fetch a candle and show the men where they were to sleep. Read More 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. 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. Betty had plainly put up a fight, but died as a result of the wound to her throat. It seems that things had begun to go wrong for the McKeans prior to the murder and they were described at their trial as being much reduced in circumstances at the time it took place. 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. Lancaster Castle was used as the main gaol in the city. Before Mrs Blears could do anything he attacked her and tried to stab her in the neck. Her evidence complete, her husband now took the stand. Not one witness recalled seeing blood on any of their clothing, which was described in often minute detail, right down to the colour of their handkerchiefs and their boot tops. The fee included fire, candle, use of culinary utensils, and the services of a room-man who did the cooking, cleaning, and waiting-on. They were moved to the castle itself in an area that became known as hanging corner, near the churchyard. Despite her protests he prevailed upon her to allow them both to spend the night. The buildings were surveyed and repair work estimated at 1,957. Orders were given that "all the walls about [Lancaster Castle] should be thrown down". Theirs was the last case to be heard. One by one the men were brought out onto the scaffold and one by one they reiterated their innocence. After the Peterloo Massacre Henry Hunt and Samuel Bamford were imprisoned, far away from Manchester, a hot bed of radical reform ideas. George and Elizabeth Youngson were Lancaster's youngest convict transportees to Australia, for the crime of theft. Get all the latest updates from Lancaster Castle. Limited tours, lasting 30 minutes, take place throughout the day but only cover the external courtyards and one of the prison buildings. His records show thatwomen slept in the day room while men slept in the now demolished dungeon tower. Over the course of the next hour Bleares appears to have been plied with drink, Alexander at one point pouring his own whiskey into Bleares glass when his back was turned. Includes the Shire Hall and courtrooms. He was asked if this was known to either of the two defendants, and he replied that it was not. On Wednesday 26th April, the tours will consist of the courtyards only as A-Wing is being used for a private event. It is 20 metres (66 feet) high with four storeys; each floor divided into two rooms. However, work on royal castles was often documented in Pipe Rolls, which began in 1155. An interesting relic of this age is the branding iron in the dock. Due to a lack of investigation, there is little evidence to suggest additions to Lancaster in the mid-12thcentury. Joseph Hall, Keeper of the Castle at the time, had this to say in his guidebook, written over twenty-five years later: After this execution nothing could exceed the excitement which was kept alive upward of twelve months, everyone being quite satisfied of the innocence of the culpritsThe execution was certainly one of the most extraordinary on record on many points: the whole of the proceedings are too painful for comment. The debtors were not criminals, but usually small business men and women who could not afford to pay off their creditors. [10] Building in stone was expensive and time-consuming. Alexander and Michael were both dressed in blue coats and black cravats, and Alexander wore a black waistcoat, while Michaels was brown and white striped. The infamous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly - occupier of cell 113 - was convicted of murder and executed by hanging here in November 1880. When new gaoler John Higgin started in 1785 he received an annual salary of 200 guineas , in compensation for being no longer allowed to collect fees from debtors (as part of John Howards reforms). . The pub was at Winton, a small village on the road to Manchester, just outside Patricroft Bridge. Hear about the Castle's famous and infamous prisoners from highwayman, George Lyon to Peterloo speaker, Henry 'Orator' Hunt. [36] In the meantime, while access to the keep, towers, battlements and dungeons is currently denied to visitors, the castle operates limited guided tours seven days a week. 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.. In the early 18th Century there were still a number of Quakers held for non-payment of tythes. 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. 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. The money was all gone from the bedroom, where they also found a bloodstained cleaver from the kitchen. 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. Limited tours, lasting 30 minutes, take place throughout the day but only cover the external courtyards and one of the prison buildings. (Image: Manchester Evening News) The castle also served as a prison from the 17th century, housing prisoners up to the year 2011. Limited tours, lasting 30 minutes, take place throughout the day but only cover the external courtyards and one of the prison buildings. 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. He was the second English monarch who came from the House of Lancaster. This dual courts and prison function would continue right through the Medieval period up into the 21st century. Also missing were items of clothing and some plate. Lancaster Castle is a medieval castle and former prison in Lancaster in the English county of Lancashire. He was careful not to arouse their suspicions and merely acknowledged them before riding past. He told them of his future plans and invited them both to stay the night. The outer wall is 3 metres (9.8ft) thick; along the exterior are buttresses at each corner and in the middle of each wall. A new Crown Court and Shire Hall were also added in the same decade.
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