Gibbeting

Fomfr cage

Gallows at Caxton Gibbet

Hanging of William Kidd

Corciano-door-tower

Gibbeting was a form of public execution and post-mortem punishment widely used in the past, particularly in the United Kingdom and its colonies. It involved hanging the body of the executed person in a metal cage, or gibbet, as a deterrent to others. This practice was part of the broader spectrum of capital punishment methods and was often reserved for those convicted of particularly heinous crimes such as piracy, murder, and theft.

History

The use of gibbeting dates back to the Middle Ages, where it was employed across Europe as a means to maintain public order and deter crime. In England, the practice became increasingly common from the 17th to the early 19th century. The Murder Act 1751 made gibbeting a standard post-mortem punishment for murderers, reflecting the belief in the power of posthumous shame and the deterrent effect of displaying the body.

Procedure

The process of gibbeting began with a public execution, typically by hanging. Following the execution, the body was placed in a gibbet cage, which was designed to encase the body and prevent it from being buried. The cage was then hoisted onto a gibbet pole, a tall post, and left to hang in a public place, often at crossroads, near the scene of the crime, or at the outskirts of a town. The body would remain on display until it decomposed or was removed, serving as a grim warning against criminal behavior.

Decline and Abolition

The practice of gibbeting fell out of favor in the 19th century as societal attitudes towards capital punishment and public executions shifted. The Hanging in Chains Act 1834 formally abolished gibbeting in the United Kingdom, reflecting broader changes in penal policy and the move towards more humane forms of punishment. Despite its abolition, the legacy of gibbeting remains, with references found in historical records, literature, and folklore.

Cultural Impact

Gibbeting has left a lasting impact on culture and literature, symbolizing the brutality of past judicial practices. It has been depicted in various works of fiction and historical accounts, serving as a reminder of the harshness of penal measures in history.

See Also

• Capital punishment
• Hanging
• Murder Act 1751
• Hanging in Chains Act 1834