A Tale of Two Tyburns
Jonathan Tapsell
- Regions:
- South East, London
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Fee:
- Paid
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 2nd September 2026
This talk is about London's most notorious gallows -Tyburn. An execution site that operated for around 600 years, whose infamy spurned a wealth of folklore and sanguine history in its wake. The two faces of Tyburn are its recorded history of pious outcomes or its underbelly of what researchers call 'the scaffold puzzle', its secret vernacular practices, healing, luck, peculiar drinking customs and omens.
Views: 24 | Enquiries: 0About Jonathan Tapsell
Jonathan is a qualified teacher who studied Folklore at the University of Hertfordshire and specialises in bringing the traditions, beliefs, and customs to life for community and heritage audiences. Drawing on academic research and a deep interest in regional folk culture, Jonathan archived the world's largest collection of Wiccan artefacts - the Doreen Valiente collection in 1999 and wrote her posthumous biography.
He brings humour, academia and wonder to any event — blending sharp wit with genuine expertise to leave audiences both entertained and enlightened.
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