The History of Newcastle... Crime and Punishment

A Gruesome Spectacle

Saturdays around St James's Park in Newcastle are always a fantastic spectacle. Tens of thousands of men,women and children gather for an afternoon of excitement! But whereas these days the fans turn out to see a football match,if we turn back the clock a couple of hundred years, our ancestors were treated to a different kind of family entertainment! For in Georgian times,the crowds gathered to witness men and women being HANGED! In the 18th and early 19th centuries, crowds of more than 20,000 would gather to watch the victim's death throes. The name "Gallowgate" is still with us.But where soccer fans now tread,crowds once followed men and women as they were led out to the Town Moor to be hanged! Sadly, there was no shortage of victims. In Georgian times, there were nearly 200 offences including pick-pocketing, which were punishable by death.

Ironically, there are records of pickpockets mingling with the crowds on the Town Moor and making use of the chaos to steal a few pounds. Many traders saw these spectacles as an opportunity to make money. Perhaps like today's football programme sellers, there were men selling papers featuring the details of the prisoner's crime and even his or her final words. These bills are held in Newcastle Central Library and each one makes fascinating reading!

YOUR TASK Read the information about the hangings that used to take place in Newcastle. Use this information to help you answer the questions. L.O. - To retrieve information from a text, making inferences

Give two reasons why crowds have gathered at St James Park during the history of Newcastle. How many people gathered there in the 18th and early 19th century? What was the name of the place through which the prisoners were led to be hanged? Does this place still exist today? Give a reason for its name. How many offences were punishable by death in Georgian times? Where were the prisoners actually hanged? Why was it ironic that there were pickpockets mingling in the crowds? How did traders use these spectacles to make money? What details might you find in newspaper sold to the watching crowds? Where could you read about these hangings today?

Saturdays around St James's Park in Newcastle are always a _________ spectacle. Tens of thousands of men,women and children gather for an _________ of excitement! But whereas these days the fans turn out to see a ______ match,if we turn back the clock a couple of _______ years, our ancestors were treated to a ________ kind of family entertainment! For in________times,the crowds gathered to witness men and women being ________! In the 18th and early 19th centuries, crowds of more than __________ would gather to watch the victim's death throes. The name ________ is still with us.But where soccer fans now tread,crowds once followed men and women as they were led out to the _______ to be hanged! Sadly, there was no shortage of ________. In Georgian times, there were nearly 200 ______including pick- pocketing, which were __________by death.

Are the following statements true or false. PLENARY  People have only ever visited the area around St James' Park on match days when Newcastle United are playing.  Crowds of over 20, 000 people used to gather to witness criminals being hanged.  Spectators would sit and watch in silence  It was decided that only men would be hanged on the town moor.  Men and women would be present selling papers which gave details of the prisoner's crime and often their final words