Life and death of Mary Channing and Martha Brown
3C Cornhill, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1BA
In 1706 a woman was burned at the stake in Maumbury Rings in front of 10,000 spectators for supposedly poisoning her husband to death - her name was Mary Channing. The writer Thomas Hardy alludes to Channing in his novel ‘ The Mayor of Casterbridge’ and in his poem ‘ The Mock Wife’ and he always deemed her innocent. Over a hundred years later Elizabeth Martha Brown was sentenced to death at Shire Hall and her execution was at the Dorchester Prison in 1856. Martha was accused of murdering her husband . The young Thomas Hardy witnessed this death at Dorchester Prison and it has been suggested that the character of ‘ Tess’ is based on Brown.
Timings & Tours
- Sunday 21 September:
- 11.00am-12.00pm
Location & directions
3C Cornhill, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1BA
- Directions:
- Meet at the Discover Dorchester stall near the Town Pump at Cornhill, South Street, Dorchester.
- Contact on day:
- Tony Hurley
- Telephone number:
- +441305249091
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Book via Eventbrite. Under 5's do not need to book a ticket.
- Booking contact name:
- Tony Hurley
- Booking telephone number:
- +441305249091
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking website:
- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gudied-walk-the-life-and-death-of-mary-channing-and-martha-brown-tickets-1559401183919?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
- Booking opens:
- 26 Aug 2025 09:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 21 Sep 2025 12:00 AM
Accessibility details
The walk will involve walking around the town.
Additional information
The walk will involve walking around the town.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 20
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s)
