The Tower of London has a long and dark history, with many executions taking place within its walls over the centuries. However, the question remains: when was the last execution in the Tower of London?
History of Executions in the Tower of London
The Tower of London was originally built as a royal palace and fortress in 1066 by William the Conqueror. Over time, it also became a prison and place of execution for those who had fallen out of favor with the ruling monarch.
Some of the most famous executions to take place within the Tower’s walls include those of Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII, and Lady Jane Grey, who was briefly queen before being deposed and executed for treason.
The Last Execution
The last execution to take place in the Tower of London happened on August 15th, 1941. The prisoner was Josef Jakobs, a German spy who had been captured by British authorities after parachuting into England.
Jakobs was found guilty under wartime regulations and sentenced to death by firing squad. He was held in the Tower’s Miniature Rifle Range before his execution.
The Miniature Rifle Range
The Miniature Rifle Range is located on the Tower’s outer wall near the White Tower. It was built in 1895 as a training facility for soldiers and later used as a storage space before being converted into a temporary prison during World War II.
Jakobs’ execution took place at dawn on August 15th, 1941. He was blindfolded and tied to a chair before being shot by a firing squad made up of eight soldiers from the Scots Guards regiment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Tower of London is notorious for its history of executions, it has been many decades since such an event has taken place within its walls. Josef Jakobs was the last person to be executed in the Tower, and his story serves as a reminder of the Tower’s darker past.
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