Combe Gibbet, Historical gallows in Combe, England.
Combe Gibbet is a wooden double-posted gallows standing at the summit of Gallows Down, marking the boundary where three English counties meet: Berkshire, Hampshire, and Wiltshire. The structure remains standing today as a stark historical reminder on the landscape.
The gibbet was built in 1676 to execute George Broomham and Dorothy Newman, who had murdered Broomham's wife and son. The structure standing today is the seventh version of the original gallows.
The gibbet served as a public warning against crime, positioned at this high point so that bodies were visible from the surrounding villages below. This brutal display was how law enforcement worked in that era.
Visitors can reach the site by following a marked footpath from the Gallows Down parking area, which also serves as a launch point for hang gliders. The hilltop location is exposed to wind, so appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear are helpful for the walk.
The gallows stands on an ancient Neolithic burial mound, the Inkpen Long Barrow, which dates back around 5,000 years. This means a site with deep prehistoric importance was later chosen for public executions.
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