Bilstone Gibbet Post: A Gruesome History
Bilstone Gibbet Post was erected 1801 to display the body of murderer John Massey.
The rotting remains, then the skeleton, stayed on display for at least 18 years.
The post, situated in Bilstone, Nuneaton, is still standing today, and it's Grade 2 listed.
The famous oak post was erected in March 1801, a quarter of a mile from the scene of a notorious murder committed by John Massey in February 1800.
The incident which led to Massey’s downfall took place when he became involved in a violent argument with his second wife, Lydia while the pair were out walking by Milstone Mill with his wife’s 10-year-old daughter.
He brutally battered his wife and kicked her and his step daughter into the mill stream.
His wife subsequently died of her injuries several weeks later.
Unfortunately for Massey, however, the young girl survived and went on to give evidence against him.
He was sentenced as Leicester Assizes to be hanged and gibbeted.
The hanging was carried out at Red Hill, Birstall on the 23rd March 1801.
As was the custom of the day after execution, the body was transported to the parish where the crime had been committed.
The body would be wrapped in chains and hung from a metal ring on the gibbet post and left as a public and lasting spectacle.
Even as late as 1818, it was reported that the skeleton of John Massey still existed as a grim reminder to the other homicides.
Born around 1750, Massey had been a local celebrity and renowned wrestler.
He often defeated his opponents by throwing them over his head giving ride to the nickname of Topsy Turvey.
He worked in the fields at Oilstone as an agricultural worker and was reputed to be punctual and industrious.
However, he acquired a reputation for heavy drinking and was given to violent outbursts of temper and cruelty to his wives, Sarah who died in 1797 and Lydia, whom he murdered.
Bilstone is listed in the Domesday Book as in the Guthlaxton Hundred of Leicestershire, with two ploughlands, three households and three freemen.
If you’d like to visit this post, which still stands today, the address is: Gibbet Ln, Bilstone, Nuneaton CV13 6LU.
17th Century crimes
During the 17th century in England, crime and punishment were influenced by a variety of factors, including social, economic, and political conditions.
The legal system during this time was characterised by a combination of local and central authority, and the severity of punishments often depended on the nature of the crime committed.
Here are some common crimes and their corresponding punishments in 17th century England:
Petty theft: Punishment: Fines, public humiliation (e.g., the pillory or stocks), and sometimes corporal punishment such as whipping.
Serious theft: Punishment: In cases of serious theft, punishment could include branding, mutilation (cutting off a body part), or even execution.
The severity of the punishment often depended on the value of the stolen goods.
Highway Robbery: Punishment: Highway robbery was a capital offence, and those convicted could face execution, typically by hanging.
Counterfeiting: Punishment: Counterfeiting money was considered treason and was punished with death by hanging, drawing, and quartering.
Murder: Punishment: Murder was a capital offence, and the punishment was execution.
The method of execution could vary, including hanging, beheading, or even burning at the stake.
Witchcraft: Punishment: Belief in witchcraft was prevalent during this time.
Accused witches were often subjected to trials, and if found guilty, they could be hanged or burned at the stake.
Treason: Punishment: Treason was considered a grave crime against the state. Punishments included hanging, drawing, and quartering.
This involved hanging the person until almost dead, then disemboweling and beheading them.
It's important to note that the legal system was not standardized across the country, and local jurisdictions often had their own laws and enforcement practices.
Additionally, the justice system of the time was not always fair or just, and trials could be influenced by social and political factors.
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