Category: Articles of the key ‘dark’ historical events across the world

By Tim Lambert Hanging was the most common method of execution in England from Saxon times until the 20th century. At first, the criminal stood on a ladder, which was pulled away, or on a cart, which was moved. From the 18th century, he stood on a trapdoor. Sometimes the hanged man broke his neck… Continue reading A History of Capital Punishment

By Tim Lambert Early Corporal Punishment Corporal punishment is derived from a Latin word meaning body. It meant physical punishment and in the past, it was common. In the past corporal punishment was by no means limited to children. It was used on adults as well. Whipping has been a common punishment since ancient times.… Continue reading A History of Corporal Punishment

By Tim Lambert Domestic violence or partner-on-partner violence is probably as old as the human race. In 1655 Massachusetts Bay Colony in North America decreed ‘No man shall strike his wife nor any woman her husband’. The punishment was a heavy fine or corporal punishment. This was one of the first laws in the Western… Continue reading A History of Domestic Violence

By Tim Lambert Trial by combat or trial by battle was common in Europe in the Middle Ages. If a man was accused of a serious crime he had the right to fight his accuser. People believed that God would ensure that right would prevail and that if a person was innocent he would win.… Continue reading A History of Duelling

By Tim Lambert Hanging was the most common method of execution in England from the Anglo-Saxon Era until the 20th century. At first, the prisoner was made to stand on a ladder, which was pulled away, or on a cart, which was moved. From the 18th century, he stood on a trapdoor. Sometimes the prisoner… Continue reading A History of Hanging

By Tim Lambert The idea of robbing people while they travel along roads is a very old one. In the Middle Ages, there were plenty of outlaws ready to rob travelers. However, the ‘golden age’ of highwaymen was the 17th century and 18th century. At that time trade and commerce were increasing and there were… Continue reading A History of Highwaymen

By Tim Lambert The Rise of the Nazis The Depression of the early 1930s was a disaster for Germany. While unemployment was 1.4 million in 1928 it rose to 4.8 million in 1931. By 1932 it was 6 million. About one man in three was out of work. One effect of the depression was that… Continue reading A History of Nazi Germany

By Tim Lambert In the years from 1912 to 1914 Suffragettes committed crimes like vandalism and arson. They also planted bombs. However, the WSPU did not want votes for all women – only those who met a property qualification. (In Britain not all men could vote, a large minority did not have that right) On… Continue reading A History of Suffragette Arson and Bombings

By Tim Lambert Most of us associate the guillotine with the French Revolution. However, mechanical devices for beheading people were used in Europe long before then. One was recorded in Dublin in 1307. The Scots had a beheading device called The Maiden, which was used between 1564 and 1710. Meanwhile, in the town of Halifax… Continue reading A History of The Guillotine

By Tim Lambert The Titanic is probably the most famous shipwreck of all time. The Titanic is remembered both because it sank on its maiden voyage and because of the terrible loss of life but also, perhaps because so many lives could easily have been saved (The Titanic did not have enough lifeboats for everybody).… Continue reading A History of The Titanic