Christian antiquities -- Great Britain; Folklore -- Great Britain; Great Britain -- Social life and customs; Manners and customs
Representatives of the church often possessed rights in respect to the
gallows and its victims. A few facts about a case occurring far back, in
the days of our first Edward, shew how keenly they maintained their
privileges. The Abbot of Peterborough set up a gallows at Collingham,
Nottinghamshire, and had hanged thereon a thief. This proceeding came
under the notice of the Bishop of Lincoln, and he, with considerable
warmth and temper, declared that the Abbot had usurped his rights, since
he held from the king's predecessors the liberty of the Wapentake of
Collingham, and the right of executing criminals. The Abbot declared that
Henry III. had given to him and his successors "Infangthef and Utfangthef
in all his hundreds and demesnes." After investigation it was decided that
the Abbot was in the wrong, and he was directed to take down the gallows
he had erected. One, and perhaps the chief, reason of the prelate being so
particular to retain his privileges was on account of it entitling him to
the chattels of the condemned criminals.
William the Conqueror invested the Abbot of Battle Abbey with authority to
save the life of any malefactor he might find being executed, and whose
life he wished to spare.
Amongst the many privileges enjoyed by the Archbishop of York, was that of
having a mint. As early as the year 1070, we find a mention of the mint,
and particulars of attempts made, without success, to destroy or curtail
His Grace's coining. Archbishop Lee, who died in 1544, is said to have
been the last to exercise the power of issuing money.
In bygone times, the Archbishops of York appear to have enjoyed almost
regal power. The baronies of Beverley, Sherburn, Patrington, Otley, and
Wilton belonged to them. They appointed justices for these important
towns, had prisons, gallows, pillories, and ducking-stools, and did their
utmost to maintain law and order.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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