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:
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)
