Question of the week: With Halloween on the horizon, is there a particular episode from London's history that gives you the shivers?
"If you have an interest in the history of Catholicism and Protestantism in London, especially since the sixteenth century, then you should visit a place called Tyburn. All that remains of this terrible place is a marking on a pedestrian island in the middle of Marble Arch junction, immediately north of Hyde Park. It was the location, for many years, of a famous set of gallows (named 'Tyburn Tree') used for hanging religious non-conformists, including many Roman Catholics, as well as forms of criminal activity.
If you cannot find the mark on the road itself, why not visit the Covent and Shrine of the Tyburn Martyrs across the road from Hyde Park? For more information, and directions, see their website. ( A sister is available for guided tours of the Shrine daily at 10.30am,3.30pm & 5.30pm daily. HOLY MASS : Sundays, weekdays and Holydays: 7.30am. All are welcome)
Finally, for those interested in the history of religious persecution in London our chaplain, Fr John Dickson and I will be conducting a dusk tour of some sites relating to this on Wednesday, 9th of December. The walk will begin at the London Centre and end at K-M. Time to be announced!"
- Ric
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Want to read more? Related books in the LUP Library include:
Hanging in judgement : Religion and the death penalty in England from the Bloody Code to abolition by Harry Potter
and for Tyburn's later use as the most famous location for the execution of highwaymen,
1700 : Scenes from London life, by Maureen Waller.
as well as a vivid fictional portrayal in the film Plunkett & Macleane
* Photo by Lawrence OP, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.
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