By 1800 there were over 250 crimes for which the penalty was death by hanging and constituted what came to be called the ‘Bloody Code’. Throughout the Eighteenth Century, in response to increased criminality (real and perceived) the State imposing harsh punishments meant to serve as a deterrent, strove to maintain law and order. The fate of many of the condemned was recorded as a warning in the Malefactors Register and later in the Newgate Calendar.
- 20% discount for SoG members
- Part of the Crime and Punishment course. Book the full course to access all the talks.
- Not included in Gold Membership.
- Recording available to everyone who books until 29 April 2026.
Click here for information about our events. Contact events@sog.org.uk if you have any questions.
About the Speaker
Don Chiswell
Don Chiswell holds a Humanities degree from Bristol Polytechnic and later qualified as a Further Education teacher. He has been passionate about history for as long as he can remember and particularly enjoys challenging popular historical myths. Over the past twenty years, Don has delivered courses on a wide range of historical subjects—always with enthusiasm and humour—at Peterborough City College, Stamford Arts Centre, the Guildhall Arts Centre in Grantham, as well as for numerous local groups and societies. When asked about his favourite historical period, Don usually replies: “Just the last 3,250 years.” Since 2006, he has presented a series of lectures for Peterborough Museum and has taken part in historical re-enactments and guided tours. He is currently researching a book on Bosworth Field and co-writing a history of Peterborough, both of which he hopes will be published in due course.
