Hanging Langford is a small village located in the county of Wiltshire, England. The village is known for its picturesque countryside and historic buildings, including the 12th-century St. John the Baptist Church. However, Hanging Langford is also known for a tragic event that occurred in the village in the 18th century.
In 1753, a man named John Tawell was hanged in Hanging Langford for the murder of his mistress, Sarah Hart. Tawell had poisoned Hart with prussic acid, a deadly poison, after she threatened to expose their affair. Tawell was eventually caught and convicted of the murder, and he was sentenced to death by hanging. His execution was carried out in Hanging Langford, and it was attended by a large crowd of people.
The hanging of John Tawell in Hanging Langford was a significant event in the history of the village. It was one of the last public executions to take place in England, and it was widely reported in the newspapers of the time. The event also had a lasting impact on the village, with many residents reportedly being haunted by the memory of the execution for years afterwards. Today, the site of the hanging is marked by a plaque, which serves as a reminder of the tragic event that occurred in Hanging Langford over 250 years ago.