Why was Joane executed?

[mrwilson]

By the way what are tempestarii?

There's subtle variations, but generally Tempestarii were weather-makers, who possessed the power to control the weather at will, especially storms.  They got it both ways, respect for bringing wanted weather and condemnation for the unwanted. The Scots were more so into believing in Tempestarii.

Quote

I have never considered the village of Downton to be a hot bed of anarchy!

It was only a few years later, 1642,  the English civil war happened. Discontent no doubt brewed in rural Britain for some years. http://www.historyonthenet.com/Civil_War/civilwarmain.htm

And the Midland Revolt was in 1607. Perhaps Dowton was a isolated pocket of protest that went unnoticed by historians. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midland_Revolt
 

[Redroger]

It was none of those Valda, but thanks very much. Did Pablo Picasso get some of his inspiration from Brugels I wonder?

[Lillith]

I got my informantion about Joane from the Wiltshire Online Parish Clerks and now I am beginning to doubt wether it says 'executed' or 'excommunicated'. However, if she had been excommuncated I don't think she would have had a burial in a churchyard.

[Valda]

Hi

Not necessarily - it would depend on the sympathies of the local clergyman. There might be a burial but no burial service.

'The Church of England could excommunicate parishioners for many moral offences, as well as heresy. A modified form of the burial service was available for excommunicants following the Burial Laws Amendment Act of 1880, though this was merely the formalisation of the process where sympathetic clergymen absolved deceased excommunicants and read the normal burial service. Those who were excommunicated because they had committed a grievous crime, if they died unrepentant, would be deprived of the normal burial service. From 1745 onwards the relatives of excommunicants, where necessary, could compel their burial in a churchyard.'

last section of this help guide

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,403485.0.html


Regards

Valda

[Lillith]

I have just visited the site History of Judicial Hanging in Britain 1735-1964, NOT for the fainthearted, and it says that up to 1832 an executed person could be buried in consecrated ground provided that they had not committed murder. Even though Joane's case is earlier it might still apply.

[mrwilson]

I have just visited the site History of Judicial Hanging in Britain 1735-1964, NOT for the fainthearted

The time period demonstrates most frequent offence punishable by hanging was 'Murder bastard child' and 'Murder'. Infanticide obviously too common an occurence.
http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/fem1735.html

Act of 1575 punished parents of bastard children.
http://www.pricegen.com/resources/illegitimacy.htm

[toby webb]

This has been a very informative site and thanks to all who have contributed. As there seems to be quite a possibility that a bastard child may have been involved, I was wondering if there are churchwardens accounts which may throw some light onto this matter.They were always very vigilant on the subject of children born out of wedlock.
Toby.

[Lillith]

Unfortunately the Churchwardens' Accounts don't start until 1691.

[Lydart]

This is the site mentioned by Lilith ... as she says, not for the squeamish !


http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/hanging1.html