Roll-up, roll-up for the execution!

This gatehouse was built in 1595 in front of the oldest parish church in central London, St. Bartholomew’s, Smithfield which dates from 1123.

But the little square in front was historically the principal site of execution in London for centuries. Watt Tyler, leader of the Peasant’s Revolt was killed here (actually that was more of an improvised job as he was surprised, stabbed and dragged into the church to be beheaded on a makeshift block). William Wallace, the Scottish lord (played by a blue-daubed Mel Gibson in the movie) was executed here.

And you can’t say that in years gone by they were limited in their imaginative ways of getting rid of people – traitors were hung drawn and quartered, poisoners were boiled alive, heretics were burnt at the stake... they had a different position on the whole “let the punishment fit the crime” debate!