Author article: 'Sentenced to the gallows' (first of a two-part special) as featured by

Lancaster Guardian, 2nd May 2019

Author article (part 2): 'Paying for crime on the end of a rope...'

Lancashire Evening Post/Wigan Post, 1st May 2019

Author article: 'Sentenced to the gallows' (first of a two-part special) as featured by

Lancashire Evening Post, 24th April 2019

Using wealth of research, illustrations from local papers, original photographs, letters and even a route plan from one of the crimes, Baggoley has unearthed some fascinating and gruesome cases.

Lancashire Evening Post

'Hanged in Lancashire' provides a series of intriguing case studies regarding those executed for capital crimes in Lancashire between 1790, when over 200 offences were punishable by death under the 'Bloody Code', and 1964, when the last two criminals to be executed in Britain were hanged in Liverpool and Manchester. An experienced crime writer, Baggoley's selection of hangings forms a catalogue of murder, burgalry, highway robbery, sodomy and forgery, with each case revealing not only the basic human motivations behind the crimes committed, but also the changing social view of capital punishment, charting the gradual suppression of the hangman's noose in favour of less drastic deterrents.

Roger Fielding

Fumbled hangings and debatable verdicts of justice are at the forefront of this read. With over 200 hundred capital crimes towards the latter years of the eighteenth century, those which were punishable by death even included croft breaking, riot, sodomy, and highway robbery. However, the nineteenth century progressively saw the depletion of the number of crimes capitally punishable - so much so that only those who committed murder would inevitably face the penalty of a hanging. Beginning in the era of the Bloody Code, and concluding with closing chapters devoted to the final two men to be executed in this country, in 1964, Baggoley provides a captivating read for any reader intrigued by, or studying, Lancashire's gruesome history.

James Tweal

Without doubt Martin Baggoley is one of the very best writers from the Wharncliffe stable. 'Hanged in Lancashire', unlike the Fould Deeds series encompasses a much broader geographical area and is therefore able to cover a more interesting selection of cases.

There is enough of a variety of cases to appeal to the crime historian, true crime book collector, social historian and local interest reader.

The book is full of useful and relevant illustrations which help to set the scenes. Baggoley also uses good source material, particularly from the central libraries of Manchester and Liverpool. He also provides an all important index.

Overall "Hanged in Lancashire' is a very good read.

Cliff Cohen

Martin Baggoley is an experienced true crime author and has a masters in criminology.

The book is a detailed account of crime and capital punishment, taking the reader from the days of the 1700's when felons were publically hanged outside the walls of Lancaster Castle, in front of large crowds, through to 1964 when the last two people were executed for murder inside the goals of Liverpool and Manchester.

The book covers many intriguing cases, that include botched hangings and possible miscarriages of justice.

Friends of Real Lancashire

Hanged in Lancashire is another in the Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths series which will be of particular appeal to those interested in learning more about the dark social history of the area. Martin Baggoley is an experienced historian and, perhaps just as importantly, has lived and worked in the area for most of his adult life. The scores of cases discussed here span a broad time period, interestingly concluding with 'The Final Act', the story of two men who became the last to hang in the country when they were simultaneously executed in Lancashire in August 1964. Along the way we are treated to a variety of other stories from across the region, beginning as early as the 18th century. Each piece is relatively concise and is told in a remarkably calm and methodical way considering the subject matter at hand - Baggoley does well to present the cases in as strictly factual a way as possible without a need to 'dress up' or over-dramatize events which prove fascinating enough of their own accord. These include the famous Pendleton murders, Luddite riots, and Lancashire's last public hangings in 1867. The chronological nature of the book makes it interesting to observe the changing social attitudes towards execution and hanging over the years; as the author himself notes, hangings gradually ceased to be public spectacles and suitable punishment only for crimes of murder or treason. Therefore we have a book not only packed with interesting individual stories but which touches on the controversy of capital punishment in a wider social context.

Carl (customer review)

Using a wealth of research, illustrations from local papers, contemporary photographs, letters and even a rout plan from one of the crimes, Baggoley has unearthed some fascinating and gruesome cases from Lancashire's dark history. A gripping story of murders most horrid...

Lancashire Evening Post