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The article discusses how conspiracy theories changed the course of history. Topics include anti-Catholic legislation, dozens of executions, conspiracy theories having important and long-lasting consequences for the structure of British politics, according to historian Mark Knights, and need for national stability against a barrage of conspiracies and plots.

The article focuses on Sarah Malcolm, a 22-year-old former employee of Mrs Lydia Duncomb, was apprehended for the brutal murder of Duncomb, her servant Elizabeth Harrison and maid Ann Price in 1733 in Temple district of London, England. It mentions Malcolm, who was tried and hanged for the murder of Price, claimed innocence until the end and was burnt in effigy a few months after her execution. It also mentions Malcolm, who was involved in the planning and implementation of the burglary.

The article focuses on early modern methods of execution were carefully calculated to inflict shame upon the condemned. It mentions Renaissance that saw the rise of the ‘theatre of horror' and hanging was the most widely practised method of execution across early modern Europe. It also mentions punishment should fit the crime, the manner of execution whether by hanging, beheading, breaking on the wheel or burning.

The article discusses historical information about the criminal trial of non-humans particularly pigs. Topics explored include the arrest of a sow and her piglets in December 1457 for the death of a boy in Savigny, France, the legal proceedings of these trials from the declaration of formal charges to the examination of evidence, and the execution of the pig in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France in 1266.

The article looks at the families left behind by pirates and sailors who were executed by the British state in the 18th century. Among these pirates is Captain Joseph Halsey, who found guilty of murder. It states that the executions of these pirates and other sailors left too many orphans, widows and families ruined.

The article looks at significant events in history that happened in November, including the election of Salvador Allende as president of Chile on November 3, 1970, the execution of Australian outlaw Ned Kelly on November 11, 1880 and the death of computer scientist Ada Lovelace in November 1852.

The article details the case of Anne Greene, an English domestic servant who survived her attempted execution on December 14, 1650 and was revived by physicians from the University of Oxford. Topics discussed include Greene's pregnancy and miscarriage, her prosecution under the Concealment of Birth of Bastards Act of 1624, and her full recovery aside from amnesia about the time surrounding her execution.

The article examines the myth of the executioner's mask and humanity's tortured relationship with life, death, mortality and museums. Topics covered include how reformers and authorities around the world worked to move executions from the public scaffold to private prison bureaucracies, artistic representations of the hooded or masked executioner, and the Victorian fad of depicting executioners with fantasy masks and hoods.

The article explores the trial and execution of humanitarian, homosexual and Irish Nationalist Roger Casement for treason in 1916, highlighting its impact on politics in Great Britain. A profile of Casement is provided who was a diplomat and played an important role in the Irish liberation movement. Also discussed are the execution of Irish volunteer Thomas Kent by the British for shooting policemen in September 2015.

The article explores the history of the downfall and death of French revolutionary leader Maximilien Robespierre. Emphasis is given to topics such as the coup d'état during the Thermidorian Reaction to remove Robespierre, the move of the Revolutionary Government away from social and political radicalism, and his death as a botched suicide attempt versus execution by guillotine.

The article discusses the impact that a failed assassination attempt against then-Turkish President Mustafa Kemal (later Atatürk) in 1926 has had on the nation of Turkey, and it mentions the work of German journalist Hans Tröbst who was expelled from the country in 1926. Tröbst's articles about the assassination attempt and a subsequent trial are examined, along with the execution of 15 deputies in 1926. Violence, terror, and coups d’état in Turkey are assessed.

The article discusses the influence of the English Civil Wars and Great Britain's Glorious Revolution on the French Revolution a century later. All three conflicts' invocation of popular sovereignty and natural rights is explained, as is the influence of the English political system on the thought of French philosopher Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu. The executions of English King Charles I and French King Louis XVI are also compared. The author also emphasizes the influence of political philosopher James Harrington's work on republics on the development of the French constitution.

Discusses the execution of King Charles I of England and its political impact on the country after the Restoration. Catholic Church's commemoration of the execution; Portrayal of Charles I as a martyr; Observance of the event every 30th of January.

Discusses the career of Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford. Service under Charles I as Lord Deputy of Ireland; Steps to establish a firm economic base in Ireland; Strafford's trial and execution; Analysis of Strafford's work; Influences on his policies.

Recounts events related to the execution of English recusant Chideock Tichborne in the early 17th century. Reason for his execution; Information on poems he composed before he was executed; Description of Tichborne and his co-conspirators in the Babington plot.

Reports on witchcraft in France and Italy. Role of France in shaping the view of Europe on witchcraft; Connection between witchcraft and heresy; Number of executions of witches in Europe; Facts on the inquisition of witches in Italy.

The article discusses the 1794 execution of French chemist Antoine Lavoisier.

The article discusses the execution of French feminist author Olympe de Gouges on November 3, 1793 during the French Revolution for sedition.

The article offers information on the execution of Dick Turpin, a notorious criminal in England, on April 7, 1739. Topics discussed include Turpin's involvement with an Essex gang, the crimes he committed which include housebreaking, murder and highway robbery, and a letter he wrote to his brother-in-law that led to his capture.

Discusses the release of documents on British field court-martials and executions during the First World War. Public reaction to the motion picture 'King and Country,' released in 1965, which centered around field courts-martial and executions in the First World War; Contents of court-martial records and details of the executions; Reasons, including desertion and cowardice; Historical implications; View of First World war veterans on contemporary warfare.

The article takes a look back at Louis XVI's escape from Paris, France on June 20, 1791 during the French Revolution. Topics covered include the role of Axel Fersen, a Swedish officer in the French army and devoted admirer of Marie-Antoinette, in organising the royal party's escape and Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette's eventual conviction and execution for treason.

The article investigates the life of Mary Seymour, daughter of English Queen consort Katherine Parr and English nobleman Thomas Seymour, following her parents' deaths. Katherine's death due to puerperal fever following the birth of the child is described, as is Thomas' execution for treason. Difficulties in financing the care of the orphan experienced by Mary's eventual guardian, Katherine Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk, are described. The author notes that clues to Mary's life can be found in a poem contained in the book "Ludicra sive Epigrammata juvenilia," by Katherine Parr's chaplain John Parkhurst, which possibly served as the young child's epitaph.

This article reviews the mystery of the execution of King Charles I in 1649. No one knows who the actually executioner, or his assistant, was, even though there was an investigation and trial in 1660, once King Charles II restored the monarchy. A soldier named Sergeant William Hulet was tried and found guilty on specious, circumstantial evidence but authorities were unconvinced and released him.

This article offers a look at the execution of ex-bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley in England on October 16, 1555. Latimer was about seventy when he went to the stake. A former Bishop of Worcester, England, he was later an influential preacher and chaplain in London and at Edward VI's court. Ridley, in his early fifties, had been Bishop of London and an outspoken supporter of the attempt to make Lady Jane Grey queen instead of Bloody Mary. After Mary's accession he was arrested for treason. Ridley defended his beliefs with particular brilliance and Latimer dismissed his opponents as mass-mongers. The arch-conservative Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester and lord chancellor, presided over the trial for heresy at the end of September 1955, when Latimer took the opportunity to deliver a blistering attack on the see of Rome as the enemy and persecutor of Christ's true flock. After a fifteen-minute sermon urging them to repent, they were chained to the stake and a bag of gunpowder was hung round each man's neck.

Discusses the anniversary of the execution of King Charles I of England in Whitehall on January 30th, and focuses on the three different societies in London that observe it. The oldest of them is the Society of King Charles the Martyr (SKCM); The Royal Stuart Society (RSS); The Society's aims.

Presents a letter to the editor about World War One military executions mentioned in John Crossland's article in the July issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the "Months Past" section in the January 2012 issue, focusing on French military leader and saint John of Arc and her punishment of being burned alive.

The First World War heroine was executed by firing squad in 1915 for helping Allied servicemen in German-occupied neutral Belgium to escape. As a hospital matron she had not hesitated to help German soldiers as well, on the principle that where a life could be saved it ought to be saved. 'Patriotism,' as she famously said, is not enough.' From a German point of view her execution proved catastrophic in terms of propaganda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents updates on several historical events as of June 2006. Germany's Justice Minister, Brigitte Zypries, has announced that the country will release Nazi papers that recount the fate of Holocaust victims. The University of Leicester is examining a medieval cemetery found at the remains of Saint Peter's church that revealed a variety of burial techniques that shed light on life and death in the East Midlands city from 13th-17th centuries. The descendants of Russia's last tsar, Nicholas II, claim to have proof that he was executed on the orders of the Bolshevik leadership.

Features Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed for murder in Great Britain in 1955. Overview of her relationship with motor-racing enthusiast David Blakely; Reason Ellis murdered Blakely in April 1955; Details of her execution on July 13, 1955.

Recalls the events which led to the execution of Archbishop of York Richard Scrope and Earl of Norfolk Thomas Mowbray in York, England in 1405. Outcome of the refusal of the French regime to accept the coronation of Henry Bolingbroke as Henry IV; Reasons for the involvement of Scrope in the rebellion of York citizens; Purpose of the negotiations between Scrope, Mowbray and Ralph Neville, Earl of Westmorland, on May 29, 1405.

Presents a letter to the editor in response to the article "Lackland: The Loss of Normandy 1204," in the March 2004 issue.

Presents an abridged and adapted version of an article by Linda Clark published in "The History of Parliament: The House of Commons, 1386-1421," which focuses on the role Sir Thomas Blount in the efforts to overthrow Henry IV and to restore Richard II in December 1399. Career background of Blount; Reason for the failure of the attempt to restore Richard II; Description of his execution.

Focuses on the execution of Lavrenti Pavlovich Beria, head of the Soviet secret police during the reign of Joseph Stalin, in December 1953. His involvement in revolutionary activities from his teens; Activities when he was put in control of both the secret and regular police; Downfall of Beria; Versions of the stories about his execution.

Profiles William Kidd, a pirate who was executed on May 23, 1701 in Great Britain. His role as a privateer captain in British service; Legends about his ocean voyages; Valuation of the treasure that he accumulated as a pirate.

Presents information on the execution of Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, England, on February 25, 1601. Background of Devereux; Reason for his execution.

Focuses on the May 21, 1650 execution of James Graham, the Marquess of Montrose and Royalist captain general in Scotland who was sentenced to death for fighting for King Charles II. Details on his April 1650 capture; His military campaign against the Covenanters and the Marquess of Argyll; Details on his execution in England; His body's internment in the High Kirk of Saint Giles.

Narrates the execution of Italian Dominican friar and puritan fanatic Girolamo Savonarola on May 23, 1498. Opposition on Savonarola's views; Enemies of Savonarola; How he was executed.

Presents a letter from John Crossland in response to John Terraine's letter about military executions.