Old Palace Yard

Old Palace Yard, located in Westminster, is a site steeped in history and intrigue. Situated in front of the Houses of Parliament, it was once part of the original Palace of Westminster, the royal residence of English monarchs for centuries. One of the yard’s most infamous roles was as a place of public executions, where crowds gathered to witness the fates of those accused of treason. Among the most notable figures executed here was Guy Fawkes, the conspirator behind the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605. His plan to blow up Parliament was foiled, and Fawkes, along with his co-conspirators, was gruesomely executed in Old Palace Yard. Fawkes’ punishment was to be the traditional English method for traitors - hanging, drawing, and quartering, but he jumped off the gallows and ended his fate far quicker than planned. Ironically, in 1834, the old Westminster Palace was destroyed in a great fire, a twist of fate that resonates with the failed Gunpowder Plot centuries earlier. The public executions in Old Palace Yard were macabre spectacles, drawing large crowds and shaping the area’s grim historical reputation. Another famous victim of the axe was Sir Walter Raleigh, the renowned explorer and a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, who was executed here in 1618. Sir Walter Raleigh is said to have spoken calmly and with great dignity. As he examined the axe that would soon be used to behead him, he remarked: “This is a sharp medicine, but it is a physician for all diseases.“ Nearby, tourists can also find the imposing statue of Richard the Lionheart, one of England’s most legendary kings. Famous for his leadership during the Third Crusade in the late 12th century, Richard I is remembered for his bravery and military prowess. His statue stands as a symbol of England’s medieval power, adding to the historical atmosphere of Old Palace Yard, a place where history and legend collide.