Smithfield

Today a bustling urban district in central London, Smithfield, once famous for its meat market and notorious as the traditional site for the burning of heretics and those considered political traitors, esp., during the 16th Cent. Near 300 Christians martyrs died there under the five-year-reign of Mary. Of the political figures executed here probably the most famous is the heroic defender of Scottish independence, William Wallace, who was put to death here on 23 August 1305. The site for this dastardly business was later shifted to Tyburn further to the west of the city.

Click here to view the list of Marian martyrs who died at Smithfield.