Ruth Ellis

[andy-hughes]

I found out today that a churchyard I visited in Amersham holds the grave of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in the UK.

I was always under the impression that an executed criminal could not be buried in conscrated ground. Since Ruth Ellis is to date without a pardon for her crime, why was she disinterred from the grounds of Holloway when it was rebuilt, and buried in a churchyard?

[Mamyalynne]

http://en.wikipedia.o...ki/Ruth_Ellis#Burials

[Jemisa]

Google it. Its all there.

jem

[MarkRae]

Wow, Lynne! That is one serious research tool you've got there!

[Mamyalynne]

Back in the knife drawer Mark.

[sir.prize]

Hi mamy - I notice you posted the Wiki link. Can you tell me how you get it to open at 'Burials' rather than the start of the Wiki article. Many thanks

[Mamyalynne]

in whatever link on Wiki, click in the contents...is this case 'Burails' sub heading and then copy and paste.

[Mamyalynne]

Doh - Burials

Then risk getting a cheeky riposte :-)

[sir.prize]

Ta muchly Mamy; I didn't know that. x

[mike11111]

It was not the case that executed criminals could not be buried in consecrated ground but that they had to be buried within the prison walls, mainly, I suppose, to prevent the grave from becoming the focus of public attention. In the days of public executions it was not unusual for the body to be handed over to the family for burial.

[andy-hughes]

Jemisa - I did - and if you have, you will see that my question is not answered.

[andy-hughes]

Thank you mike1111 - I guess I am confusing customary practice with legal requirement.

[anneasquith]

ooft!!!!!!!!!!! specsaver moment, i thought why is ruth ellis buried in Amsterdam :(

[jake-the-peg]

Looks like you're 180 years behind the times Andy :c)

//Between 1752 and 1832 the bodies of executed murderers were legally denied burial in consecrated ground//

http://www2.le.ac.uk/...ch/criminal-bodies-1/

[bazwillrun]

I used to live in Amersham and have seen the grave , it was covered by a coffin shaped curved top slab of stone

[andy-hughes]

Interesting baz - I have read that it is now overgrown by trees - interesting thread though - thanks everyone.

[bazwillrun]

It was about 30 years ago when I saw it, and then it was just a grassed area with other graves around it just like any other cemetary