 A pamphlet detailing the burning in April 1652 of Joan Peterson , the so @-@ called Witch of Wapping , also describes the execution of Prudence Lee , found guilty of mariticide . Lee was apparently brought on foot , between two sheriff 's officers and dressed in a red waistcoat , to the place of execution in Smithfield . There she confessed to having " been a very lewd liver , and much given to cursing and swearing , for which the Lord being offended with her , had suffered her to be brought to that untimely end " . She admitted to being jealous of and arguing with her husband , and stabbing him with a knife . The executioner put her in a pitch barrel , tied her to the stake , placed the fuel and faggots around her and set them alight . Lee was reported to have " desired all that were present to pray for her " and , feeling the flames , " shrike [ d ] out terribly some five or six several times . " Burning alive for murder was abolished in 1656 , although burning for adultery remained . Thereafter , out of mercy , the condemned were often strangled before the flames took hold . Notable exceptions to this practice were the burnings in 1685 and 1726 of Elizabeth Gaunt , found guilty of high treason for her part in the Rye House Plot , and Catherine Hayes , for petty treason . Hayes apparently " rent the air with her cries and lamentations " when the fire was lit too early , preventing the executioner from strangling her in time . She became the last woman in England to be burned alive . 
 A pamphlet detailing the burning in April 1652 of Joan Peterson , the so @-@ called Witch of Wapping , also <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>describes</mark></a> the execution of Prudence Lee , found guilty of mariticide . Lee was apparently brought on foot , between two sheriff <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>officers and dressed in a red waistcoat , to the place of execution in Smithfield . There she confessed to having " been a very lewd liver , and much given to cursing and swearing , for which the Lord being offended with her , <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>had</mark></a> suffered her to be brought to that untimely end " . She admitted to being jealous of and arguing with her husband , and stabbing him with a knife . The executioner put her in a pitch barrel , tied her to the stake , placed the fuel and faggots around her and set them alight . Lee was reported to <a href='been_done' title='4'><mark>have</mark></a> " desired all <a href='null_relcl' title='5'><mark>that</mark></a><a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>were</mark></a> present to pray for her " and , feeling the flames , " shrike [ d ] out terribly some five or six several times . " Burning alive for murder was abolished in 1656 , although burning for adultery remained . Thereafter , out of mercy , the condemned <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>were</mark></a> often strangled before the flames took hold . Notable exceptions to this practice <a href='uninflect' title='8'><mark>were</mark></a> the burnings in 1685 and 1726 of Elizabeth Gaunt , found guilty of high treason for her part in the Rye House Plot , and Catherine Hayes , for petty treason . Hayes apparently " rent the air with her cries and lamentations " when the fire was lit too early , preventing the executioner from strangling her in time . She became the last woman in England to be burned alive . 
A pamphlet detailing da burning in April 1652 of Joan Peterson , the soo @-@ called Witch of Wapping , also describe tdaexecution of Prudence Lee , found guilty of mariticide . Lee was apparently brought on foot , between 2 sheriff  officers and dressed in a red waistcoat , to thdalace of execution in Smithfield . dere she confessed to having " been a very lewd liver , and much given to cursing and swearing , fir which thedard being offended with her , done suffered her to b brought to that untimely end " . She admitted to bein jealous of and arguin with her husband , and stabbing em wid a knife . The executioner put her in a pitch barrel , tied her to the dake , placed the fda and faggots around her and set em alight . Lee was reported to done " desired alll was present to pray fir her " and , feeling the flames , " shrike [ d ] out terribly some five or six several times . " burnin alive fir murder was abolished in 1656 , although burning fir adultery remained . Thereafter , outt of mercy , the condemned was often strangled before the fldas took hold . Notable exceptions to this practice was the burnings in 1685 and 1726 of Elizabeth Gaunt , found guilty of high treason for her part in the Rye House Plot , and Catherine Hayes , fir petty treason . Hayes apparently " rent the air with her cries and lamentations " when the fire was lit too early , preventing the executioner from strangling her in time . She became the last woman in England to be burned alive .