Execution Sites to Visit in Central London
Those who have studied the history of London will know that the city has a past, which is covered with stories of bloodshed. If you are a tourist visiting London, you can still see some of the execution sites in the city, which can remind you of the terrible and gruesome executions that happened at these locations in the past.
Here is a list of some of such places of execution in London, which you can behold during your London private tours.
St Paul’s Cathedral
The name suggests the place to be a tranquil and peaceful spot. However, this is a spot, which has a history of many executions. The original St. Paul’s cathedral got destroyed in the Great Fire that happened in the year 1666. When it was standing, it was considered as one of the tallest cathedrals in the world.
The cathedral was used for several purposes in the past. It had been used as a horse stable at the time of the Civil War. There were book traders who sold their books in the church courtyard. The Cross of St. Paul was the point of making public announcements.
It was on 30th, January 1606 that the four conspirators of the Gunpowder Plot were dragged and brought to the churchyard where they were finally hanged to death. On May 3, Henry Garnet, the Jesuit priest, also met the same fate here in the same place.
Palace of Westminster
This is the place, which remains as the silent witness of the Gunpowder Plot and the eventual happenings. Guy Fawkes and some other comrades plotted to blow up the parliament and King James I, hoping to thereby end the torture that the Catholics were suffering. Fawkes was caught with the gunpowder barrels, where he confessed about his plan. On 31st January 1606, he and some other conspirators were brought and hanged here in the Westminster Yard.
Charing Cross
The original Charing Cross stood to the south of Trafalgar Square. It was outside the Banqueting House that Charles I was executed. After long years, when his son became the ruler, he retributed vengeance on those who killed his father. Eight of them were brought to the Charing Cross and hanged, drawn, and quartered. Three of the conspirators who were already dead and buried were taken out and hanged again, following which their heads were cut off and spiked above the Westminster Hall.
If you are a history enthusiast, the visit to these important historical places will be an exciting experience for you. There are many other places of execution in London, which had a significant role to play in its history.