Would this be actually on their way to their execution as a bit of a "last treat" so to speak - Edit: It brings a grim and grizzly meaning to the term "last orders"Clue. Prisoners were taken from Newgate prison, along Oxford St & allowed to stop at every pub on the way!!
It was a grisly fate without having to endure things like that - similar to using a blunt axe for beheadingsTrouble is most of the hangmen were complete drunks as well & frequently messed up
The axemen were worse. As you can imagine. Frequently hitting shoulders etc