Tyburn Tree, London.

Tyburn - A name synonymous with death. Sounds a bit like a rather shit Hammer film (not starring Christopher Lee). Tyburn's link to death is because it was used as a site for executions in London.

The first recorded execution in 1196 was of a William Fitz Osbert, who was arrested for riling up the poor. He was dragged naked, behind a horse, to Tyburn where he was hanged. Henry VIII, the notoriously blood thirsty ginger King of England, ordered the hanging of the Pilgrimage of Grace leaders to be at Tyburn. However, there were no formal set of gallows until 1571 and these gallows were named the Tyburn Tree.

Hogarth's 'The IDLE PRENTICE Executed at Tyburn' (1747)

These executions were public. Many men, women and children, those rich and those poor gathered to watch prisoners take their last breaths. This was a favoured past-time as there was little to entertain the mostly illiterate masses of pre-Victorian Britain. People would line the streets of London to watch the procession of the condemned travel from Newgate Prison to the Tyburn Tree. Prisoners were permitted to climb from their carted wagon to take one last drink before death - hence the expression, off the wagon. 

The Tyburn tree took its final victim, Highwayman John Austin, in 1783. The gallows moved outside Newgate prison where they stood until 1868 when executions took place inside the prison. 

You can visit what is believed to be the original site of the Tyburn Tree gallows. A neat stone circle bearing the words 'THE SITE OF TYBURN TREE' marks the area of centuries of executions. It is located just opposite Marble Arch (watch out for the pigeons...) in the middle of a traffic crossing. It is free to visit but do be aware of passers by wondering why you are staring at the floor.

My Dark Travels Rating - 6/10. 

Tyburn Tree is a great attraction as it is free. The history that surrounds the spot is rather macabre and very interesting to read about, especially if you like the history of crime. However, it is just a stone memorial and will take about 20 seconds to visit!