Legal Definitions - hanging in chains

Definition: Hanging in chains was a practice in England where the body of a murderer who had been executed was hung by chains near the place where the crime was committed. This was done in very serious cases. The practice was abolished in 1834.

Example: If a person was found guilty of a very serious crime like murder, they would be executed. In some cases, their body would then be hung in chains near the place where the crime was committed. This was done to show people that the person had committed a terrible crime and to warn others not to do the same.

Explanation: The example illustrates how hanging in chains was used as a form of punishment and as a warning to others. By hanging the body in chains near the place where the crime was committed, people would be reminded of the terrible crime that had been committed and would be deterred from committing similar crimes in the future.