Launched Into Eternity

Crime and Punishment, Hitmen and Hangmen

Nonfiction, History, British, Social & Cultural Studies, True Crime
Cover of the book Launched Into Eternity by David Leslie, Black & White Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: David Leslie ISBN: 9781785301681
Publisher: Black & White Publishing Publication: October 11, 2017
Imprint: Black & White Publishing Language: English
Author: David Leslie
ISBN: 9781785301681
Publisher: Black & White Publishing
Publication: October 11, 2017
Imprint: Black & White Publishing
Language: English

When the crowd gathered to see the hangman launching teenager Robert Smith into eternity on a wet Tuesday in 1868, it was the last time this public spectacle would be witnessed in Scotland. Smith's crime was heinous, his public punishment brutal. And, finally, it was the end of a tragic public theatre which had drawn eager, baying crowds for more than a thousand years.

Launched Into Eternity is a fascinating account of crime and public punishment in Scotland. From bloody Viking penalties to the execution of William Wallace, and from witch hunts and public drownings to the horrific execution in 1820 of three Scots Radicals whose crime was to campaign for a fairer deal for the downtrodden, this is an astonishing and macabre story. But it is perhaps less surprising when you consider that by 1800, judges had the authority to hand out the death penalty for more than 200 separate offences.

Times have undoubtedly changed for the better, but the shadows of our history offer a fascinating insight into the brutality of life and the public punishments of the past.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

When the crowd gathered to see the hangman launching teenager Robert Smith into eternity on a wet Tuesday in 1868, it was the last time this public spectacle would be witnessed in Scotland. Smith's crime was heinous, his public punishment brutal. And, finally, it was the end of a tragic public theatre which had drawn eager, baying crowds for more than a thousand years.

Launched Into Eternity is a fascinating account of crime and public punishment in Scotland. From bloody Viking penalties to the execution of William Wallace, and from witch hunts and public drownings to the horrific execution in 1820 of three Scots Radicals whose crime was to campaign for a fairer deal for the downtrodden, this is an astonishing and macabre story. But it is perhaps less surprising when you consider that by 1800, judges had the authority to hand out the death penalty for more than 200 separate offences.

Times have undoubtedly changed for the better, but the shadows of our history offer a fascinating insight into the brutality of life and the public punishments of the past.

More books from Black & White Publishing

Cover of the book Glasgow Walks by David Leslie
Cover of the book Greatest Geordie One-Liners by David Leslie
Cover of the book Blood and Granite by David Leslie
Cover of the book Skeem Life by David Leslie
Cover of the book The Last Day I Saw Her by David Leslie
Cover of the book Whisky, Wars, Riots and Murder by David Leslie
Cover of the book COOP by David Leslie
Cover of the book Meet Me Under the Westway by David Leslie
Cover of the book Mancs vs Scousers & Scousers vs Mancs by David Leslie
Cover of the book Secret Lochs and Special Places by David Leslie
Cover of the book Oor Wullie: The Big Bucket of Laughs Joke Book by David Leslie
Cover of the book Is it That Time Already? by David Leslie
Cover of the book Crimestopper by David Leslie
Cover of the book Rivers and Lochs of Scotland 2013/2014 Edition by David Leslie
Cover of the book Hangman's Brae by David Leslie
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy