Imposing the Royal Pardon: Execution, Transportation, and Convict Resistance in London, 1789

摘要: Shortly after two o'clock on the afternoon of Saturday, 19 September 1789, last act sessions at Justice Hall in Old Bailey began. London's accused capital offenders were tried here eight times yearly. Those who convicted and received sentence death or transportation remained nearby Newgate Prison until their sentences could be carried into execution. So, too, did respites: those convicts to spared execution but would not actually pardoned Recorder London, chief sentencing officer Bailey, had decided what condition should imposed. The vast majority respites transported New South Wales. Before that pardon put effect, however, first brought back court end another order formally notified, signal acceptance, pardon—that is, “plead pardon” bar court. Although it is unclear from sources whether still obliged, as they been down 1690s least, present most overt symbol deference—kneeling while pleading pardon—the symbolic significance this procedure seems have thought important, even if become largely a formality.