"Interior of the Crown Court of Hertford at the moment the prisoners were bought up to plead.", 1823.

Social History (Museum of St Albans)

2000.5089

Engraving, "Interior of the Crown Court of Hertford at the moment the prisoners were bought up to plead.", showing the courtroom during the trial of John Thurtell for the murder of Mr Wear near Elstree in 1823. On 24th October 1823 a London solicitor and card-sharp, William Weare, was driven to a cottage near Elstree by a fellow gambler, John Thurtell, for 'a few days' shooting', but his holiday proved much shorter. That evening, two men were seen driving very fast in a gig, with their horse out of breath: the equivalent of a sports car and squealing tyres today. A farmer at Aldenham heard a shot and a 'great groan', Weare's reward for having cheated Thurtell and two friends of £300 at cards. The 'friends' turned King's Evidence, Weare was found at the bottom of a local pond belonging to William Probert, and Thurtell was tried and executed at Hertford, while his accomplice Joseph Hunt was sentenced to transportation. The case, though sordid, excited enormous interest, and much sympathy for Thurtell, who made a fine speech in his own defence, and died nobly.

1823

PH8439

120 transparency

1) Photo Studio

Hertford Crown Court, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.

PWD Box 26.

Herts Before the Car, 2001