It is a Category C gaol and a number of its inmates are serving life sentences. George and Elizabeth Youngson were Lancaster's youngest convict transportees to Australia, for the crime of theft. Records indicate that one prisoner was sentenced to transportation for maliciously destroying cotton goods in a process of manufacture.. The next witnesses all testified to having seen the accused after 4pm, and therefore after the murders must have taken place. In 1164 the Honour of Lancaster, including the castle, came under royal control. 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. Thomas Holden sentenced to 7 years Transportation to Australia for 'Administering An Illegal Oath' to Isaac Crompton. On Wednesday 26th April, the tours will consist of the courtyards only as A-Wing is being used for a private event. Based on a semi-circle, five tiers of cells could be surveyed from a central control room. The men were arrested the next day, Sunday, by Joseph Nadin, the Deputy Constable of Manchester. 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. A recent extension of the Home Office lease means that the use of the castle as . Mouth, nose and eyes could all be made out, as could the hair, and streaming from a slash across the throat, copious amounts of blood. In the last two decades of the century, around 30,000 was spent rebuilding Lancaster's county gaol. An example of a typical case would be that of two boys aged 11 and 13 who in 1899 were convicted of causing wilful damage to a door by throwing mortar at it. Knowing that Michael was not far behind, Faraday left Alexander in the charge of the two workmen then went back outside. A week to the day after the murder at Winton, at five oclock on the morning of May 29th on the lonely road between Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, Alexander and Michael McKean were seen by William Taylor, a butcher from Kirkby Stephen. No doubt they all purchased refreshment from the good landlord after they had done so. This consists of a metal holdfast designed to immobilise the wrist and fingers, whilst a red-hot branding iron embossed with the letter M was applied to the brawn of the thumb. The case centred on accusations and counter-accusations . The first one was installed in 1822. He made no effort to deny the charge. The castle is now open to the public seven days a week and is undergoing a large-scale refurbishment. 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. He was hung, drawn and quartered, and part of his body exposed on top of the John O Gaunt Gateway. The earliest standing fabric of the Castle is found in the Norman Keep, built in about 1150. Out of 200 executions at Lancaster Castle, only 43 were for murder; other crimes included burglary, passing forged notes, robbery and cattle-stealing. 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. She was arrested in 1684 after leaving a Quaker meeting and brought to the castle prison. RM C12F7B - Lancaster Castle Prison. It is 20 metres (66 feet) high with four storeys; each floor divided into two rooms. Hunted men now, their details posted for miles around and with a price on their heads, the McKeans were on the run. 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. The pub was at Winton, a small village on the road to Manchester, just outside Patricroft Bridge. On Monday 28th April the prisoners were taken to the scene of the crime and forced to look at the corpses. On the 8th the area around Hanging Corner was thronged with people. Until 1835 the only Assize for the county, Lancaster Castle saw a vast number of accused people pass through its doors, many of whom would have been on trial for their life. 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. Alexander was named as the perpetrator of the bloody deed, and Michael was wanted for aiding and abetting him in the crime. His distinctive yellow walking stick had been left in the bar. The infamous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly - occupier of cell 113 - was convicted of murder and executed by hanging here in November 1880. McKean realised that the boy had seen it all and attempted to smother him but Betty had somehow found the strength to get to her feet and she distracted McKean long enough to allow William to escape. [35] Closure of the prison will eventually allow the castle to be opened to visitors and tourists as a permanent attraction. However, the Judge hit upon an interesting point at this stage in his summing-up: it appeared, he said, that the brothers showed no express malice against this unfortunate woman and this is one of the most striking things about the whole case. 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. The artist Robert Freebairn was paid 500 to paint twelve watercolours of the work in 1800 to be presented to the Duke of Lancaster, King GeorgeIII. The day was a warm one, the roads dusty, and the two men both exhausted. The blow glanced over her throat, whereupon Michael threw her to the floor and struck her again, the second time driving his knife deep into her face before rushing out of the pub. [22] After the slighting of the castle, including the demolition of the Well Tower, it was militarily redundant. Visitors to Lancaster Castle are advised to check opening times by telephoning 01524 64998. Despite her protests he prevailed upon her to allow them both to spend the night. This is the story of a tradesman incarcerated for insolvency. Their founder George Fox (who famously had a vision of his religious missionon Pendle Hill) was imprisoned at the castle. 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. 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. Alexander asked her whether her husband slept soundly when he got liquor, although why he should want to know this puzzled her. The castle role as a prison was becoming increasingly important, with the Gatehouse rooms being occupied by debtors. They could buy newspapers, food and clothing, follow their trades or professions, and have visitors from 8 am to 8 pm. . Lancaster Gaol housed one of the largest Debtor's prisons in This is the story of a tradesman incarcerated for insolvency. The outer defences fell in March; a siege of the castle lasted just two days as Parliamentarian reinforcements were heading to Lancaster from Preston. It seems, however, that the constable was less than keen to set off in pursuit, afraid that the McKeans might be armed. More seriously, he had reports of a meeting that had occurred on Good Friday in which it was claimed there was a conspiracy to blow up Lancaster Castle with gunpowder, and kill the Keeper Thomas Covell who lived close by at the building now called the Judges Lodgings. And yet the perpetrators of the crime would certainly have been stained quite severely, given the very nature of the murders. On March 25th 1865 Stephen Burke was hanged for the murder of his wife, this was the last public execution at the Castle. The Lancaster Martyrs: During this period of history fifteen Catholics were executed in Lancaster for their faith. However, when Henry Duke of Lancaster ascended the throne as King HenryIV in 1399, he almost immediately began adding the monumental gatehouse. 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? They had, it was said, the ordinary appearance of decent journeymen tradesmen Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge. Because of the legend, a statue of John of Gaunt was placed in the empty niche in the 19thcentury. Just then the maid appeared and Mrs Bleares told her to fetch a candle and show the men where they were to sleep. They were sentenced to five days hard labour or a fine of 7s 6d. [2] The castle is the oldest standing building in Lancaster and one of the most important. Terrified, the boy rushed past him, vaulted over the banister and, evading the arms of Michael McKean who was waiting at the foot of the stairs, headed outside, and ran away to hide in a ditch.Downstairs, Mrs Bleares, who was sitting in the bar with her sleeping husband, heard Betty scream and immediately took a candle and went into the hall, where she was confronted by Michael McKean. 3 Can you go inside Lancaster Castle? By the time it was over thirty seven of those accused had been sentenced to death, although only eleven of those sentences were actually carried out. March 25th 1865. The debtors were not criminals, but usually small business men and women who could not afford to pay off their creditors. William Collins told of Jamess confession to a conspiracy to murder and rob Mr Littlewoods house one that involved his brother and son as well as Holden. [47] The medieval hall stood south-west of the keep and was dismantled in 1796 during the remodelling of the castle. The earliest standing fabric of the Castle is found in the Norman Keep, built in about 1150. Read more. Lancaster has a reputation as the court that sentenced more people to death than any other in England. [48], During the Roman era in the 4th century,[50] the fort was surrounded by the "Wery Wall" which is believed to translate as the 'green wall'. 213 people Between 1800 and 1865, a total of 213 people were executed at Lancaster Castle Six men were hanged in private between 1875 and 1910. Who was the last person to hang in England? Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [17] After ElizabethI was excommunicated in 1570, she retaliated by declaring Roman Catholic priests guilty of high treason. 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. Bonnie Prince Charlie is reported to have stayed in Lancaster during the Jacobite uprising in 1745. The last execution (of Thomas Rawcliffe, murderer) at Lancaster took place in 1910. [9] The war came to an end in 1153. George and Elizabeth Youngson were Lancaster's youngest convict transportees to Australia, for the crime of theft. Convicted felons awaiting transportation were, in law, entitled to the Kings Allowance of 2s/6d a week, but few ever received it. This was the crux of the matter as far as Michaels fate was concerned. [8] It is possible that David refortified the castle at this time. With breathtaking speed, a person could stand trial, be convicted, and within forty-eight hours be in their grave. Separate prisons were built for men and women. At the August assizes in Lancaster in 1835 just fourteen prisoners were tried and nine causes were entered in the civil court - the church bells rang a "muffled peal" (Lancaster Gazette, 15 August 1835). The first man, who was in fact Michael McKean, affected not to know his brother and they did not speak to each other until Mrs Bleares had left the room. The Honour changed hands several times. 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. George and Elizabeth Youngson were Lancaster's youngest convict transportees to Australia, for the crime of theft. He intimated that, had the victim been Joseph Bleares it might have made some kind of sense. 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. A survey in 1578 led to repairs to the keep costing 235. [7], Roger de Poitou fled England in 1102 after participating in a failed rebellion against the new king, HenryI. Self-procalimed 'King of the Robbers' George Lyon was not quite the romantic figure that local legend would have us believe. When Mr Littlewood returned home soon after it was to find that something was obviously amiss. Before the Jury retired to consider the verdict Mr Justice Park summed up. The Judge was as puzzled as the modern reader may well be at why this awful crime came to be committed. [10], For the next 150years, there is no record of building work, although accounts are incomplete. 1787. Construction in stone would have been a costly and time-consuming exercise, taking around five years and costing about 1,000. For more serious crimes the assizes courtswere held twice a year and defendants would bekept in prison for months, awaiting the time when the next assize came around. A new Crown Court and Shire Hall were also added in the same decade. 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. Life, harsh as it undoubtedly was for inmates, was often made bearable by the enlightened thinking of the various Governors of the prison. [16] Records show that between 1402 and 1422, the year Henry V died, over 2,500 was spent on building work. The conspiracy charges to blow up the castle and commit murder may well have been trumped up, but nevertheless eight women and two men were brought to trial. When Michael spoke it was to reiterate what Alexander had said. RM EPHG7C - Inside a cell at Lancaster Prison, part of the Castle in the city of Lancaster, England. 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. 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. The business was not prosperous, and Blears regretted taking having taken it on. The gaolers received a set fee per mile for each prisoner, no matter how many convicts they took at a time, and could make a good profit by conveying prisoners in groups. His was a considered and even-hand appraisal, which luckily still exists. It was all to no avail. Michael would be considered as aiding, assisting, abetting and comforting the felony. That there was a murder was clear, and that the deed was not an act of self-defence also seemed certain in this case. The money was all gone from the bedroom, where they also found a bloodstained cleaver from the kitchen. The prison reformer John Howard visited Lancaster Castle in 1776. Alexander was a hawker for the business and he had first called on the Bleares a year before the events of May 1826. Her cry of murder was cut short as McKean cut her throat, but it was enough to rouse William. It was agreed that after Stephen died, he would be succeeded by Henry Plantagenet (later King HenryII), Matilda's son. The buildings were surveyed and repair work estimated at 1,957. Thomas Holden sentenced to 7 years Transportation to Australia for 'Administering An Illegal Oath' to Isaac Crompton. The motive was supposedly theft, as silverware, clothing and a great deal of cash was taken from the house at the same time. Get all the latest updates from Lancaster Castle. James was seen once more, this time by Elizabeth Williams, coming out of the Black Horse with his father at 4:30pm. As the court and prison were so close, and contained within the castle walls, Lancaster was used for high-security trials. [13] Lancaster was one such castle. While most of this sum would have been spent on the gatehouse, some may have been used to make alterations to the top storey of the keep. 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. Betty had managed to crawl across the landing to the club room where she died. 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. A new section of the caf has been built, against the old outer curtain wall, which was reduced in height to afford views of the neighbouring Lancaster Priory. Thomas Holden sentenced to 7 years Transportation to Australia for 'Administering An Illegal Oath' to Isaac Crompton. England. The most famous case to be tried at Lancaster Castle was that of the Pendle Witches, 10 poor men and women from Pendle who were accused of witchcraft and executed in 1612 (an 11th accused witch was found not guilty and released). Between 60 and 73AD, a Roman fort was built at Lancaster on a hill commanding a crossing over the River Lune. 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. 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. There were two other patrons in the bar until about eleven. RF CP6TGD - Lancaster Castle main entrance. 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. Lancaster Castles other function as a defendable stronghold is discussed on our page here. 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. For example, the late 12th-century stone keep[14] at Peveril Castle in Derbyshire cost around 200, although something on a much larger scale, such as the vast Chteau Gaillard cost an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 and took several years to complete.
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