Death sentences

[lydiaann]

I've just come across a page in the account of the Summer Assizes, 1818 in Gloucester where 5 men were sentenced to death.  The crimes were Housebreaking (2), Horse stealing, Sheep Stealing and Burglary.  There is an annotation against the Burglar stating "Executed".  Not even transported, but sentenced to death?  The man who may be my relative received 7 years for larceny; I'm not sure how larceny (theft) is different to any other type of stealing but it seems he was just lucky.  I don't think that, bearing in mind just how many crimes were committed in this one area and tried at the Assizes, there was any effect on the crime rate.  Am I jaded in thinking that these sentences were very harsh.  I know we all (well most people) reckon we are too soft these days but I don't think we should actually go back to the early 19th century, do you?