But ‘what is a Gibbet?’ I hear you ask. Well, it’s the term used to describe many different devices used in the capital punishment of criminals.
The story of this Gibbet, situated near Elsdon in Northumberland, relates to one William Winter, who along with Eleanor and Jane Clark, was executed in Newcastle upon Tyne, on the 10th August 1792 for the murder of Margaret Crozier. William’s body was later hung in chains on Whiskershields Common as a deterrent to ‘would be’ murderers! As is to be expected his body decayed and was later removed.
The Gibbet captured in this image is a replica and although originally installed in the 1860’s with a full wooden body hanging from the noose, its’ much stolen and replaced head is now the only thing that remains. Who knows if it deterred murderers but thieves didn’t seem to worry too much about their fate!
On a clear February morning I went to find and photograph Winter's Gibbet. After being there for 10 minutes the mist started to roll in and engulf the gibbet and me. As well as a slight sense of eeriness, this image was the result.
Equipment Canon EOS20D f9 1/320th
Location: Elsdon Northumberland
Photographer: Marshall Sisterson
