Thomas Parker’s mother doted on her little boy. This spoilt brat grew up to be a workshy, wife-beating drunk. And he repaid his parents by turning a shotgun on them.

Parker’s father survived with slight injuries. But his mother lingered for weeks with a festering head wound.

The year was 1864. Elizabeth Parker fell into a coma and died in April. Four months later, her son also met his maker — at the end of a rope in front of 10,000 citizens.

Thomas Parker was the last person to be hanged in public at Nottingham. This is his story.

With contributions from Emmaline Severn, a distant relative of Elizabeth Parker, and Paul Mann QC.

The traditional folk songs in this episode are performed by Catherine Earnshaw and Keith Clouston.

“The Quiet Joys of Brotherhood” is a traditional tune with lyrics by Richard and Mimi Fariña.

“Blue Bleezin’ Blind Drunk” also traditional with the last verse written by Linda Thompson.

“False, False” is a traditional Scottish song collected in 1962 by Ewan McColl and Peggy Seeger.

More on Keith Clouston here: www.storywheelmusic.co.uk

More on Catherine Earnshaw here https://www.catherineearnshawmusic.com/

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