This account of executions in Lancashire spans two centuries and begins in the era of the Bloody Code. In the closing years of the eighteenth century there were over 200 capital crimes and the early chapters discuss those condemned to death for highway robbery, croft breaking, riot and sodomy. As the nineteenth century progressed for which the death penalty could be imposed decreased, until—with the exception of treason and piracy—only murderers faced the noose. The author has selected chapters that discuss botched hangings and possible miscarriages of justice, and ends with a chapter devoted to the last two men to be executed in this country, in 1964. A compelling read for anyone interested in local and social history, written by an experienced criminal historian.Martin Baggoley was born in Eccles and after working as a civil servant trained as a probation officer, working for the last 33 years in the Manchester area. He gained a masters degree in criminology and has written on the history of crime and punishment for a number of publications in the UK and USA. His other books for Wharncliffe are Foul Deeds & Suspicious Deaths in Manchester and Strangeways: A Century of Hangings in Manchester. Now semi-retired, he lives with his family in Ramsbottom.
