Broadside concerning the proceedings of the Circuit Court of Justiciary, Glasgow, Saturday 8th September 1798

Commentary

This crime report begins: 'A full and particular account of the Trials before the Circuit Court of the Justiciary, which was opened at Glasgow on Saturday the 8th of September 1798, with the sentence of the different criminals. / Also, an account of the trial and sentence of Robertson and Murray, who have received sentence to be hanged at Stirling on Friday the 12th of October next.'

The Glasgow cases covered on this sheet include the conviction of Athol Moon and Soloman Williams for culpable homicide and William Dron for theft. The Stirling case involves the execution of Joice Robertson and Murray for various thefts. This would have been an especially appealing broadside to buy as it not only covers many cases but also from different parts of the country. Bargain value, two for the price of one, at the cost of a penny a sheet.

Reports recounting dark and salacious deeds were popular with the public, and, like today's sensationalist tabloids, sold in large numbers. Crimes could generate sequences of sheets covering descriptive accounts, court proceedings, last words, lamentations and executions as they occurred. As competition was fierce, immediacy was paramount, and these occasions provided an opportunity for printers and patterers to maximise sales.

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