Gallows Corner in Essex has a dark history tied to public executions and crime
Essex: The roads and towns here often tell stories about their past. Some names reflect nature, while others hint at darker times.
Take Gallows Corner, for instance. This road leads from London into Essex and eventually to Colchester. It’s named after a time when executions were a common sight.
Back in the 16th and 17th centuries, this area, known as Gallows Lane, was close to a local prison. People were held there for serious crimes like murder or even minor ones like theft. Some were buried right there, where Ravensbourne School now stands.
Interestingly, the bodies of executed prisoners weren’t buried right away. They were often left on display for everyone to see, serving as a grim warning against crime.
In 1970, a big road was built nearby, but Gallows Corner kept its name. It’s a reminder of the fear that once gripped those who dared to break the law.
