Sue Cook and the team answer listeners' historical queries and celebrate the way in which we all 'make' history.
Series 13
Programme 10
20 June 2006
The deviant dead - clues on a map
Making History's Richard Daniel met up with Nicola Whyte, of the University of East Anglia in Norwich, who is interested in the number of place names on old maps of Norfolk which appear to relate to places of execution or places of burial. Her research shows that places such as Gibbet Farm and Hangman's Hill are, more often than not, on the edges of parishes, where boundaries meet and, usually, on common land. Her theory is that, in death, outlaws were outcast to the edge of society.
Nicola has written a paper which was published in the Landscapes Studies Journal, Landscapes, Vol 4 No.1 (2003).
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The last English king to die in battle
Making History was asked who the last English king to die in battle was, and who the last heir to the English throne to die in battle was. We consulted Professor John Childs at the Centre for Military History, University of Leeds.
The last king to die in battle was Richard III, who fell at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. More about Richard_III
The last heir to the throne to die in battle was Edward, Duke of Westminster, who died at the Battle of Tewksbury in May 1471. More about Edward, Duke_of_Westminster
Trial by combat
When were trial by combat and trial by ordeal replaced by the jury system that we know today? Making History consulted Victor Tunkel of the Selden Society.
Vanessa has presented science and current affairs programmes for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery and has presented for BBC Radio 4 & Five Live and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Scotsman and Sunday Herald.
Contact Making History
Send your comments and questions for future programmes to: Making History BBC Radio 4 PO Box 3096 Brighton BN1 1PL
Vanessa has presented science and current affairs programmes for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery and has presented for BBC Radio 4 & Five Live and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Scotsman and Sunday Herald. 