The Proceedings of the Old Bailey from 1674 to 1834

Mark

http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/search/crime/

A wonderful site. 160 years of London court cases replete with detailed court proceedings, amusing euphemisms, buggery and, occasionally, executing children for misdeeds as grave as pickpocketing. My ancestors by name had a penchant for stealing lead it would seem and getting away with it too. Note the amount of people executed for coining in the 1700s, what was considered a treasonous offense for undermining the kings currency. This will be particularly resonant to anyone who has read Neal Stephensons Baroque Cycle. Post your cases of interest.

• Crime(s): theft : pick pocketing,
• Punishment Type: death,
  (Punishment details may be provided at the end of the trial.)
• Verdict: Guilty,
• Other trials on 20 May 1681
• Name search for: Francis Russel,
• Crime Location: St. Dunstans Church

Francis Russel , a Boy of about 8 years of Age, was Indicted for picking eleven Guineas, and seven shillings in silver out of a Gentlewoman s Pocket near St. Dunstans Church, and Convicted of the same by his own Confession.

• Alternative account of this trial: u16770711-1
• Crime(s): sexual offences : sodomy,
• Punishment Type: death,
  (Punishment details may be provided at the end of the trial.)
• Verdict: Guilty,
• Other trials on 11 Jul 1677
• Name search for: ,
• Defendant's Home: without Cripplegate

ONe of the first and most talkt of Tryals at this Sessions, was for such an abominable Crime, attended with such odious Circumstances, as 'tis thought scarce any Story can parallel it, especially in this our more modest and chaster Climate, hitherto a stranger to such unnatural wickedness; and we hope the Justice executed on this wretched Criminal will deter all others from any the like detestible inclinations for the future.
A married woman lately living without Cripplegate, that appeared to be between 30 and 40 years of age, was arrigned, For that she having not the fear of God before her eyes, nor regarding the order of Nature, on the 23. of June last, to the disgrace of all womankind, did commit Buggery with a certain Mungril Dog, and wickedly, divellishly, and against nature had venerial and Carnal copulation with him, &c. It was was proved that the Prisoner was a person of a lewd conversation, and lodging in a Room into which there were several holes to look in at from the next house, they had often seen her in the very acts of uncleanness with Villains that followed her; but one day one of the Witnesses (a young woman) happening to cast hereye in, saw her use such actions with a Dog as are not fit here to be recited: At which being amazed, she called up another woman, and after that a man, who all saw her several times practising this beastliness, and fully evidenced the same in Court, where the Dog was likewise brought, add being set on the Bar before the Prisoner, owned her by wagging his tail, and making motions as it were to kiss her, which 'twas sworn she did do when she made that horrid use of him. For her self she had nothing to say, but denying the fact, alleadging it was mallice in the Witnesses, whichher Husband, who appeared in her behalf likewise suggested, but could not make out any quarrel or occasion of any such malice in the least; whereupon after full consideration of all circumstances she was brought in guilty .

europerson

This is a very good, interesting web-site.