Ely Museum etc

I reached Ely by mid morning on Monday and found a snug spot next to the Maltings though I think I may have disturbed a lady in her cruiser as I gracefully slid into the tight spot. She didn't seem inclined to smile much as I waved to her and mouthed a friendly 'hello'. Oh well, perhaps she got out of the wrong side of her bunk.

Anyway, not to be brought down by Mrs Grumpy, I pitched up and got the kettle on. The Great Ouse and Ely waterfront were looking their best in the bright sunshine.

 

I spent some time pottering about on Skylark, getting her looking her best and sorting out the catches for the relocated corridor door. I also did some more painting - touching up the edges.

 

After lunch on Tuesday I headed into town (sorry, city), and visited the little Ely Museum located at the top of one of the main shopping streets. The building has been used for many things including the local gaol. Having a healthy interest in prisons and the treatment of offenders, I couldn't resist spending some time in the gaol exhibition. Apparently this young chap was being restrained by his legs and has a spiked neck brace on to stop him escaping apparently. It looked to me like someone in the magistrate's office had a sadistic tendency!

 

 

If this wasn't bad enough, the next day he was taken off to have his neck stretched. Usually, the rope would be too short to break the convicted criminal's neck; he or she would just be pushed off a cart or ladder and left to choke to death. Family and friends would often rush up to pull on the person's legs to speed up the process and shorten his or her suffering. They could even pay people to this, hence the term, 'hangers on'.

 

Execution days were well advertised in the local press and often hundreds and even thousands of people turned out to watch and join in with the 'carnival' atmosphere. This type of rowdy behaviour was particularly prevalent in London and started to become frowned upon by polite society. The popular writings of people like Charles Dickens and Thackeray went a long way to get things changed once they had been to see a hanging for themselves.

 

In the Museum, there was also a section on the Ely and Littleport Riots in the 18th century. A large group of workers went into Ely to protest about low wages and this turned into a drunken riot outside and then inside the local magistrate's house. When he called the militia from Bury St Edmunds, the rioters withdrew to Littleport where they were arrested following further fighting. Various penalties were metered out including gaol, transportation and execution. This is what the rioters looked like apparently...

 

The Museum is a quaint little place, steeped in its own history and presenting a clear picture of the history of the city and its surroundings. It was only £3.50 to visit so really good value for money.

Back to the boat to practice some serious chilling out.

I left today and headed home. The Ouse was still looking fantastic.