Executions were a long-standing part of the British justice system, used not only for high treason but for crimes as common as theft or debt. While some executions were swift, others were disastrously mishandled—turning punishment into prolonged suffering.
In this article, we dive into some of the worst botched executions in British history, from royal victims to notorious criminals who suffered gruesome ends—or miraculously survived them.
The Role of Executions in British History
For centuries, public executions in Britain were used to punish, deter, and entertain. From hangings at Tyburn to beheadings on Tower Green, the spectacle often drew large crowds. But not all went according to plan. Whether due to poor planning, unskilled executioners, or sheer bad luck, many condemned individuals endured horrific ends.
Thomas Cromwell – A Grisly End for Henry VIII’s Chief Minister
Executed: 28 July 1540
Once one of the most powerful men in England, Thomas Cromwell fell from favour after arranging Henry VIII’s ill-fated marriage to Anne of Cleves. Arrested for treason and heresy, he was executed on Tower Green.
Unfortunately, Cromwell’s execution was botched, with the inexperienced executioner needing three blows to sever his head. His remains were displayed on London Bridge as a warning to others.
Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury – Hacked to Death
Executed: 27 May 1541
Margaret Pole, a Plantagenet by birth and close to Catherine of Aragon, was arrested for alleged treason and held in the Tower of London for nearly three years.
Her execution was both sudden and brutal. With no trial and only an hour’s notice, she was led to the block. The executioner missed repeatedly, taking 11 strokes to finish the job. Her death is often cited as one of the most botched executions in Tudor history.
Mary, Queen of Scots – A Royal Execution Gone Wrong
Executed: 8 February 1587
After years of political intrigue, house arrest, and a controversial trial, Mary, Queen of Scots, was sentenced to death for plotting against Elizabeth I.
Her execution was far from clean: the first axe blow missed, striking the back of her head. The second struck her neck but didn’t decapitate her. A third blow was required to finish the act, turning a solemn moment into a grisly scene.
Lord William Russell – An Apology After the Axe
Executed: 21 July 1683
A political figure in opposition to the crown, Lord Russell was accused of involvement in the Rye House Plot and executed for treason.
The execution was so poorly performed that the executioner later issued an apology in writing. To make matters worse, Russell was posthumously pardoned, as there was no solid evidence linking him directly to the plot.
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth – Eight Blows to Die
Executed: 15 July 1685
The illegitimate son of Charles II, Monmouth attempted to claim the English throne but was defeated and captured.
At his execution, Monmouth begged for a clean blow, fearing the worst. His fears were justified: Jack Ketch, the infamous executioner, needed eight axe strokes and a knife to complete the beheading. Witnesses claimed Monmouth was still moving throughout the ordeal.
William Duell – The Man Who Survived Hanging
Execution Date: 24 November 1740
Convicted of serious crimes, William Duell, just 17, was hanged at Tyburn with four others. Presumed dead, his body was sent to the Anatomy Theatre for dissection.
To everyone’s shock, Duell was still alive. After making a full recovery, his sentence was changed to penal transportation, and he lived out the rest of his life in the American colonies, possibly into his 80s.
7. Mary Ann Cotton – The Black Widow’s Prolonged Death
Executed: 24 March 1873
One of Britain’s most infamous serial killers, Mary Ann Cotton was convicted of murdering her stepson with arsenic, though she’s believed to have killed at least 21 people, including her own children and husbands.
During her hanging at Durham Gaol, the rope was tied too short, resulting in a slow, strangled death rather than an instant one, another case of a poorly handled execution in British history.
Why Were So Many British Executions Botched?
Many executions in Britain failed due to:
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Inexperienced executioners
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Poor preparation
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Overcrowded public events
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Lack of standardised methods
These flaws often led to prolonged suffering for the condemned and public horror—or fascination—for onlookers.
The Grim Legacy of Botched Executions
These cases remind us that even death wasn’t always swift or certain in the past. From missed axe blows to victims surviving their own executions, the history of British capital punishment is as horrific as it is fascinating.
While the UK abolished the death penalty in 1965, stories like these remain chilling reminders of a time when justice was not only brutal, but often badly executed.