Famous British Executions

The death penalty was abolished in the United Kingdom in 1965, however, for the centuries leading up to it, many criminals were executed. Public executions at one point were a very popular form of entertainment and huge crowds gathered to watch hangings or beheadings. The executions especially attended were those of notable figures such as royalty, conspirators and murderers. Here are a few of the most famous British executions:

Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn was the second wife of Henry VIII. She was beheaded at the Tower of London on May 19th 1536 for charges of incest, adultery and plotting to kill the king. Historians argue that there was very little truth in the accusations and that it was a ploy to get rid of Anne Boleyn as she hadn’t given birth to a son.

Unlike most convicted criminals, Anne Boleyn requested and was granted execution by a French swordsman. She believed it would be quicker and less painful than the traditional beheading-by-axe. She was correct as it only took one blow from the executioner’s sword.

Lady Jane Grey

Lady Jane Grey is best known for being the nine-day queen. She was either sixteen or seventeen when she was executed for treason. Her cousin, Edward VI, had been manipulated by protestant nobles to name Lady Jane Grey as his heir instead of his eldest half-sister, Mary I. After nine days, Lady Jane Grey and her husband were arrested and imprisoned by Mary I and her Catholic supporters.

When it came to her execution, Lady Jane Grey had to be helped to the block as she struggled to find it.

Charles I

Charles I is considered to be the first British monarch to have been executed (many people don’t view Lady Jane Grey’s nine days as legitimate). Charles I was beheaded on the 30th January 1649. His execution was the culmination of the English Civil which saw the country split into royalists and parliamentarians.

Charles I’s beheading is still considered controversial and resulted in the army losing its royal status, even to this day.

Robert Hubert

Robert Hubert was a Frenchman living in London in 1666. Hubert confessed to starting the Great Fire of London, but he was not believed. His story was incompatible with the fire and Hubert later changed his story. Hubert spoke very little English and was described as ‘not well in mind’.

However, London needed a scapegoat and as an outsider, Hubert fit the bill. Hubert was hanged in front of a huge crowd. As his body was handed over to surgeons, an angry mob attacked and ripped his corpse to shreds. It was later discovered that Hubert was not even in the country when the fire was started.

Ruth Ellis

Ruth Ellis was the last woman to be executed in the UK and her death contributed to the abolishment of the death penalty. Ellis was hanged on the 13th July 1955 on charges of murder. Ruth Ellis shot her lover, racing driver David Blakely, dead in Hampstead. Blakely abused Ellis and had even caused her to miscarry by punching her in the stomach. 

A petition to overturn the death sentence reached fifty thousand signatures but was ignored. Ellis did not seem too bothered by her death sentence and reportedly smiled at her executioner.