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One of Horsham’s more infamous claims to fame was that it was the last place* in England to carry out the ‘peine forte et dure’ (hard and severe punishment). Even in those days a euphemism was required to describe being crushed to death. In 1735 John Weeks of Fittleworth was accused of the murder of Elizabeth Symonds near to Petworth. Weeks declined to offer a plea and, according to the law, the courts had no jurisdiction over him. Weeks was found guilty of ‘standing mute through malice’ and was sentenced to the peine forte et dure to persuade him to enter a plea. This should have taken place within a prison cell but instead it was carried out in full public view in the gaol grounds. Weeks was laid down with a board over him, a prison door according to some reports. Onto the door was piled 100 weights, then another 100 then a third. Weeks appeared to be dying and another 50 weights were added. Finally the 16 stone gaoler laid on the board and Weeks passed away