The CRAZY Execution Of Maggie Dickson - Edinburgh's 'Half-Hangit Maggie'

Edinburgh is known as a city which is steeped in History, much of it is rather sinister or brutal. For example it was here where Burke and Hare murdered many victims to sell their bodies for profit to anatomists. However one of the most crazy stories that haunts Edinburgh's Royal Mile is the brutal and crazy execution of Maggie Dickson, which did not go well at all. It is a story that remains ingrained in the amazing lore and story of Edinburgh.
Maggie Dickson was a young girl when she was tried and sentenced to death for allegedly killing her newly born child, and leaving the child on the banks of the River Tweed in Scotland. The body was discovered, however she was taken from Kelso to Edinburgh to stand trial. The judge found her guilty, and Maggie was to be executed in Edinburgh's Grassmarket for her crimes. In front of a huge crowd, she was taken to the gallows and rumours state how she befriended her executioner who made her ordeal easier, which allowed her to succeed. After the executioner had performed his duty, Maggie's body was placed into a coffin and taken away for burial, however something crazy occurred.
As her family and friends stopped for a drink in a pub, Maggie Dickson awoke from the dead inside her coffin and then she was helped out. She had resurrected allegedly, and she was helped out of her coffin and even walked home. As she had been 'executed,' for her crime she could not be executed again by law, and allegedly even was seen in Edinburgh drinking on the same street that she was 'executed' on. She lived another 40 years, and became known as 'Half-Hangit Maggie.'
So join us today as we look at, 'The CRAZY Execution Of Maggie Dickson - Edinburgh's Half-Hangit Maggie.'
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[@russellnixon9981]

I believe this not the only time this has happened. A young maid was sentenced to hang at York, but was so under weight she survived the ordeal and after being cut down later made a full recovery.

[@gonavy1]

Gotta love the fact they stopped at a pub for a few while she was outside in the coffin. I never heard this story before but I'm glad I know it now. Thanks.

[@orthi09]

It is Scotland after all... ;)

[@stephenswistchew7720]

I wonder if they bought her one when they found out she was alive you know one for the road

[@oldgysgt]

She appears to be a victim of circumstances, so I'm glad her survived her execution.

[@johnwalters4792]

Child killer wasn't she

[@zaygezunt]

Wow! That was fascinating. I expect you know that the reason we say " someone is pulling your leg" is from public hangings when friends of the condemned would pull on his/her leg to speed the death. When you said people pulled on Maggie's legs it reminded me.

[@zainabsiddiqui7358]

Me too.

[@SavageGrace]

This theory is discounted as, among other reasons, there is no documented evidence of how the phrase made the leap from “hanging” to “joke/lying.” Plus, there is no record of the phrase during the time suspension hangings were popular. As many important figures, among others, experienced death by suspension hanging, one would think the phrase ought to have appeared in at least one of the reports of the deaths.

[@awakeningEmpath]

@@SavageGrace Actually this, actually that...

[@TBreezy17]

Crazy how fast this channel has grown. Well worth it for the quality content.

[@mgav459]

One of your best videos yet. I love your channel, don't change a thing.

[@godfreyberry1599]

Your narration and accent is 100% clear and pleasant on the ear. Well done, interesting topics and well researched & presented.

[@TheUntoldPast]

Thank you, you’re too kind!

[@Hey___you]

"The child was alive when it was killed" You don't say!

[@MsDoginatree]

Glad it wasn't just me

[@jen3800]

he ain't the sharpest knife in the pantry

[@Patrickrooney1962]

Thanks again for another absolutely amazing story. Very well presented with every detail. I look forward to seeing your next story. 🙏👏👏👏👏….P

[@ipellaers]

"...the child had been alive when it was killed" - what an absolute genius

[@Rog5446]

No No, the baby was dead when it was killed..........Ha Ha.

[@bustermorley8318]

Ironic because Maggie was found to be alive after she was killed.

[@davebell7333]

I think they mean that the child wasn’t stillborn but was born alive and then killed.

[@ipellaers]

@@davebell7333 ...would you be able to kill a stillborn? ;)

[@raychambers3646]

Seems a waste to kill someone whose dead!

[@tonyburke9334]

Good programme as usual, thanks

[@loisreese2692]

@TheUntoldPast You always exceed the expectations I never could never even begin to fathom. Excellent work! Thanks much and cheers from Pennsylvania 🇺🇸

[@AngeloPerfili]

What an incredibly unique story, thank you for bringing it!

[@johnlogue8714]

The doctor confirmed the baby was alive when it was killed?! Must have been easier being a doctor back then!

[@markbegley1564]

lol

[@GeoffNelson]

Hopefully not a lot of student loans

[@IamDoogy]

I assume he meant to say that the baby was BORN alive versus stillborn.

[@Mackeson3]

@@IamDoogy Absolutely! just a slip of the tongue, (Or indeed pen) rather like the child who wrote in his essay about the life of Abraham Lincoln: "Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin which he built himself" To err is human !

[@moonshine588]

You need to know your humors and astrology

[@hughturner3717]

I believe the reason it was said the "child had been alive before being killed" was to specify that it hadn't been "stillborn" ..

[@Feargal011]

Botched hangings were far more common than many suspect today. In fact, in the late 18th Century, the British Parliament had to pass special laws to deal with survivors of suspension hangings. It must have been a severely traumatic event for survivors.

[@toonkrijthe7565]

Maybe this is a sign for some states and countries that condemn women with still born children to death. A stillborn is NEVER the fault of the mother, she sould be consoled not condemned.

[@patrickrose1221]

Amazing story . Top job as ever pal : )

[@TheUntoldPast]

Thanks mate!

[@marie-heleneleclerc3181]

I have a suggestion about a famous execution: that of the Marquise de Brainvilliers on July 16, 1676, in Paris. She is the woman who started the Affair of the Poisons, the greatest criminal scandal of the Sun King's reign.

[@bernardmcmahon5377]

Interesting, well told, thanks👍👍☘️

[@theresawilson2647]

What a story !!!

[@TheUntoldPast]

I agree!

[@popeye5989]

Apparently in the years that followed she would turn up to public hangings to give hope to whom ever was in the scaffold at the time

[@carjockey1776]

Great story, Thanks for sharing 😀

[@stevefox8605]

Wow, lucky lady!! Interesting story, thank you 👍🏻👍🏻

[@TheUntoldPast]

Thanks Steve

[@lyndaoneill7813]

Wonder the crowd didnt scarper when noises came from the coffin and Maggie sat up.She was very lucky,I had a laugh thinking how surprised people would have been.

[@jamesmartin2325]

“And she was never hanged again”

[@szk4023]

I had no idea the double jeopardy law existed back then.

[@vinceangelo8184]

The voice of the narrator is the best part of these videos.

[@canadiannuclearman]

Too bad there was not a safe house or home for unwed mothers and her child put up for adoption

[@nealmcgloin2984]

Maybe, there was still air in her lungs, then the jolting and juddering down the cobbles may just have done a sort of primitive CPR on her?. Either way, that must have been the most distressing experience for Maggie as well as killing her child?...

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Thank you!!

[@johnbenson20]

Really is crazy for sure & a wonder how she survived too !

[@TEFLLemon]

Excellent video

[@emanuelwatson1330]

“Determined the baby had been alive when it was killed “😂😂😂

[@littlemj90]

My home city! I already know this story but had to watch!

[@stephenswistchew7720]

Are you mr and. Mrs Johnston’s daughter I know you you were real little when you were born hi

[@littlemj90]

@@stephenswistchew7720 nope Johnston is my married name. Sorry

[@stephenswistchew7720]

@@littlemj90 that’s funny you both having the same and both from embra cheers hen I was hayin a wee laugh

[@tjuk8050]

Absolutely fascinating.

[@chrisdooley6468]

Wow a positive ending!??? I’m shocked someone actually survived one of your videos lol. Fascinating story 👍🏻

[@LRBerry]

What a fascinating story.

[@sklenars]

Reminds me of a story of an Irish wake. When a man died whilst sitting up he lay undiscovered for several days by which time Rigor mortis had set in and he couldn't be laid flat in bed for the wake so had to be tied down. The family were alarmed at the rate the whiskey and food was being consumed by the large crowd that had turned up to see off the deceased. A family member had the bright idea of untying the lashing that was keeping the body straight. Next thing yer man is sitting up in the bed. The house was cleared in no time...

[@alexbowman7582]

They used to have wakes for relatives emigrating to America as they would probably never see them again.

[@tedwarden5803]

Rigour Mortis sets in after the first few hours after death. After twenty four hours Rigour generally relaxes.

[@pstamaria]

Brilliant!

[@paullacey2999]

More Edinburgh stories please🙂

[@peterthomas4647]

Later than that, the sentence was "to be hanged by the neck unti look dead", so someone in Maggie's situation, would have been re-hanged until they got it right.

[@bassplayer2996]

There is a pub named after her there in her honour at Scotland

[@jamesl9371]

When the surgeon examined Maggie did he conclude that she was alive?

[@Mr.Deleterious]

Gives a whole new meaning to the 007 title, Die Another Day.

[@TheUntoldPast]

Haha!

[@inisipisTV]

You Only Live Twice Maggie Dickson.

[@nikkiplatt316]

Wow.. I’m not good with anyone that kills a child but if it just died, as babies often did in that period, I’m glad she made it. Probably scared the mess out of those people 🤣

[@algeborusas1883]

Nice tour of Edinburgh.

[@asheland_numismatics]

Very interesting story! 👍

[@TheUntoldPast]

Thanks!

[@MS46Z]

I love reading the comments here.

[@deangallagher1360]

Very good story!!

[@firebyrd437]

This reminds me of a story that someone can't remember of it was her or someone else who had survived hanging because of an abnormality in the neck that stopped the rope strangling them as that was the cause of death in this kind of hanging

[@zero_bs_tolerance8646]

Thank you.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

The -CRAZY- FAILED Execution Of Maggie Dickson - Edinburgh's 'Half-Hangit Maggie'

[@stephenswistchew7720]

I think the title should be hawf hingit Maggie

[@Snake_pup]

Dead for 30 Minutes!? Wow! I wonder how many people went to the grave by mistake after a botched hanging 😬😢

[@wildcolonialman]

Brilliant.

[@Yasser.Osman.A.Z.]

Crazy execution, thats new.

[@robbabcock_]

What a great tale!🍺🍻

[@Coltavena]

Finally!!! More of this and less of those ww2 videos please!!. Ww2 history is extremely easy to find, but this isn't!! This sets you apart from others. I don't know many channels that cover this type of material

[@sarah-jaynemcdonald2594]

True ww2 history is actually quite hard to find. Unless you are researching bad stuff Germans did

[@TheUntoldPast]

Thanks mate, I actually made this video a while ago. In July time actually after visiting Edinburgh, so have a number of these style videos backed up and written. Thanks for your input, much more to come.

[@Coltavena]

@@TheUntoldPast Thank you. Many of us over here across the pond have a strong interest in english history and many of us even romanticize the era. If you already have these episodes ready 2 go than keep em coming! Appreciate your work and the viewcount will prove it. Wish you all the success

[@scottabc72]

@@Coltavena Careful now, this was a video on Scottish history ;)

[@Coltavena]

@@scottabc72 Your right. And scotts are a v proud people.So let me say. UK history and European history as well. Love it all.

[@hariowen3840]

How on earth would it have been quite easy to trace the mother down????

[@philstrachan]

"The child had been alive before it died" really? 😳

[@yommmrr]

Concealment of pregnancy was a crime wth

[@mikefraser4513]

This reminds me of a South African film about a series of executions by hanging (about 6 in one go) where all the condemned had a noose attached their throats and a lever was pulled and down they went. On one occasion it didn't go as planned, and one of the poor guys was shaking his legs in the air. The guards pulled up the rope then dropped it. Then he was dead. But the interesting thing was, the guards were then charged with manslaughter.

[@sakabula2357]

Can you remember the films name?

[@donaldsanver4744]

Lots of lovely pubs there

[@colinsmith1288]

Life was so terribly hard in that era.Society was so quick to judge and condemn a person and then kill them. Thank goodness we are no longer so cruel.

[@Reathety]

What a crazy story.

[@sierraaustralia4063]

That's amazing she lived

[@Gamble661]

When is killing your child NOT incredibly serious??

[@colibri67]

Please, dis-section should not be pronounced like bi-section which has only one 's'. This is a very common mispronunciation. The fact that dissection has double 's' makes it similar to dissatisfy, disservice, dissolve and others. The problem is that these days even medical doctors get it wrong!

[@SaunKrystian]

Saint Maggie The Patron Saint of Survival

[@oliverbailey495]

Wow.

[@davidbidewell9816]

Fascinating breath of fresh air! Do more less bloodshed stories and more entertaining subjects like this. Where did the bowling green come from, the act of taking a club, striking a little ball somewhere to sink it, calling this act Golf then saying the Winner has the Lowest score!

[@summittaedae2323]

I’ve lived in Edinburgh all my life and never heard this story.

[@MrMrliamo]

I gave you a thumbs up again, but "again" can you please please speak a little bit slower, I've tried to do it on the speed control on yt but it doesn't work, love your videos, but please please speak a bit slower

[@the13thdukeofwybourne77]

"There can be only one"

[@richardsteele6776]

Strange story.

[@3olision]

So did you grab a pint there or not?

[@vypr8846]

OI! You're under arrest! ME!! What for? For hiding your pregnancy. 🤦

[@Ujuani68]

Love, how it's pronounced: "Edin-bruh." 😀

[@liamski629]

Locals actually pronounce it EDIN-BURUH!.

[@kentcyclist]

I'm pleased got a job singing with Mike Oldfield and had a song by rod Stewart about her

[@Pepperpotk]

This might be the first person to survive in one of your videos

[@williamhogan4031]

You only live twice...

[@josebarberena9564]

Thats what i call being born at the wrong place but especially at the wrong time. Poor girl.

[@tanyaleonguerrero5983]

I Lik to watch it. It's so addictive.

[@sarah-jaynemcdonald2594]

In Dundee hingit is a word for disgusting. Wonder if there's any relation.

[@zainabsiddiqui7358]

In Glasgow, it was Hingin', meant disgusting or mingin'.

[@sarah-jaynemcdonald2594]

@@zainabsiddiqui7358 yea, hingin being present tense, she is pure hingin, but we say she was pure hingit, past tense in Dundee lol.

[@zainabsiddiqui7358]

@@sarah-jaynemcdonald2594 Thank you.

[@Andy-dz7us]

Hang in there, Maggie !!

[@217Seahorse]

Didn’t know they had cars in those days

[@WillyEckaslike]

but was the execution justified or vengeful?

[@stephenswistchew7720]

Well I am from Edinburgh I never heard this story growing up who would have thunk it

[@nicholaspascal3029]

Refunds given to spectators?

[@onyxlily2230]

2:25 I feel like a stalker

[@Mistersandyrobertson]

You canna beat Scotland for weird stuff!

[@robertbruce7686]

Quite a character!

[@TheUntoldPast]

Agreed!

[@DorothyDollLee]

Girl got so so lucky. What she did was still wrong though. I wonder if this is what that hanging scene in Harlots was based on

[@MurrayJoe]

I’m glad she survived, it was a horrible time for women in general.

[@rachelstarkey6109]

Amazing...true life story of....maggie Dixon.....rip maggie 🦋🌹🦋🌷🦋🌷🦋🌹🦋🌷🦋🌷🦋🌹🦋🌹

[@mcake1234]

I don't think so.

[@grahamlait1969]

If you think this is bad, you should be aware that this all took place three years before... yes, that's right, before... the last woman was burned at the stake for being a witch in Scotland.... sounds about right to me.....

[@MilesBellas]

Awful society TBH.

[@yvonnepetty3400]

Very interesting. Can't imagine wanting to go & see a person being hang'ed.

[@alessiodecarolis]

For modern sensibility yes, but in these ages public executions were a real"show", with public advises, expecially if the culprits were famous for their crimes.

[@armchair22]

While I agree with you, these were different times. If you went back almost 300 years I expect there would be very little in the form of entertainment. Any reason for people to get together was probably welcomed. I really doubt either of us could even imagine just day to day life back then.

[@tedwarden5803]

There would be plenty of people who would attend a public execution. Believe me.

[@williammcauliffe7947]

The first time she'd had anyone fight over her hahahahahahha