Broadside entitled 'The Last Confession'

Commentary

This execution notice continues: 'of Mr Robert Irvine, who was Execute May 1st, 1717. near Brughtoun, between Leith and Edinburgh; for Murdering John and Alexander Gordons, Sons to James Gordon of Allan, on Sunday the 28th of April 1717.'

This was a famous case at the time and the broadsides reporting it turned into a series to try and keep up with events. There are also many sheets covering each stage of the event but there are few printer's names attached. Robert Irvine was tutor to the two boys and was convicted of murdering them, whilst out on a picnic. Most of the sordid details are covered by the various sheets - compelling entertainment.

The story also reveals information on how relatively well-to-do families lived in Edinburgh, and how they felt about their children, during the early eighteenth century. This is interesting and useful information for the social historian, which is not always easy to come by from other sources.

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