In the annals of legal and medical history, few stories are as extraordinary, tragic, and ultimately redemptive as that of Anne Greene. Her tale, which unfolded in mid-17th century England, encapsulates a confluence of injustice, societal cruelty, and a miraculous recovery that has baffled historians and medical professionals alike. Anne Greene's survival after execution is not merely a sensational account but a powerful reminder of the flaws of the judicial system, the resilience of the human body, and the unpredictable twists of fate.

A Life of Hardship and a Crime of Circumstance:
Born around 1628 in England, Anne Greene's life was marked by the limitations and hardships common to women of her class and era. In 1650, she was employed as a scullery maid in the household of Sir Thomas Read in Duns Tew, Oxfordshire. Like many young women in domestic service, she was in a vulnerable position. Tragically, she was raped by her employer's grandson, an act of violence which would set in motion a series of events that led to her condemnation.

At the age of 22, Greene gave birth to a stillborn baby boy. Likely fearing shame and punishment in a society that harshly judged unmarried mothers—let alone domestic workers impregnated by their masters - she attempted to conceal the baby's body. However, the infant was soon discovered. Despite medical examiners concluding that the child was born dead, Greene was accused of infanticide, a capital crime at the time under the "Concealment of Birth of Bastards" Act, which presumed guilt in cases where an unwed mother failed to properly report or explain a hidden birth.

The Execution:
Greene's trial was swift and merciless. She was found guilty of murdering her baby and sentenced to death by hanging. On December 14, 1650, the sentence was carried out. She was hanged in public, and in an act of compassion mingled with desperation, her friends tugged on her body and struck her legs to hasten her death - practices not uncommon in hangings intended to ensure a quick demise. Believing her dead, the authorities released her body for dissection, as was custom for executed criminals.

However, Anne Greene's fate was not sealed. The next day, three physicians at the medical school in Oxford prepared to dissect her body. To their astonishment, they discovered that she had a faint pulse and shallow breathing. She was still alive.

The Revival:
What followed was an extraordinary medical effort to save someone who, by law and societal consensus, had been declared dead. The doctors immediately set to work reviving Greene, utilizing then-common medical techniques. Among the methods were bloodletting and the administration of a tobacco-smoke enema - a practice thought to stimulate respiration and circulation. To modern readers, these methods may sound bizarre or archaic, but they were standard for the period and, in Greene's case, surprisingly effective.

Over the next two weeks, Anne Greene made a remarkable recovery. She regained full consciousness and her strength gradually returned. News of her survival spread rapidly, and public fascination turned her into a living miracle. Some viewed her resurrection as divine intervention, a sign of her innocence or at least an indication that justice had erred in her case.

Pardon and New Life:
In light of her survival, and perhaps spurred by the public sentiment surrounding the event, Anne Greene was granted a full pardon. The pardon was more than a legal technicality - it was a rare recognition that an injustice had been committed. She was not returned to prison, nor was she tried again. Instead, she was allowed to rebuild her life.

Anne Greene eventually married and went on to have three children. Her life after the execution was reportedly peaceful and stable. She lived for another fifteen years, passing away in 1665.

The Legal and Social Context:
Anne Greene's story cannot be separated from the legal and social context of 17th-century England. The law under which she was condemned—the aforementioned Act regarding the concealment of birth - was one of many that disproportionately targeted women, especially the poor and unmarried. The presumption that a concealed birth was evidence of murder placed the burden of proof heavily on women, making justice nearly impossible in such cases.

Her case also illuminates the dangers of limited forensic knowledge. Though the examiners at the time declared the baby stillborn, the weight of societal judgment overrode scientific findings. Greene's ordeal reminds us of the historical use of legal systems to enforce social morality, often at the expense of truth and justice.

Medical Significance:
From a medical perspective, Greene's survival is a fascinating case study. Hanging as a method of execution was not always immediately fatal, especially in cases where the drop was short, as was often the case during that period. In Greene's case, it is possible that the hanging was improperly conducted or that her physiological response was unusually resilient. Cases of survival from hanging, though rare, have been documented in various historical and modern contexts.

Moreover, the rudimentary revival techniques employed - particularly the tobacco smoke enema - while seemingly outdated or primitive, may have played a genuine role in stimulating her recovery. This aspect of her story has drawn attention from medical historians who study the evolution of resuscitation practices.

Legacy and Reflection:
Anne Greene's story has persisted through the centuries as an example of miraculous survival and legal redemption. It has inspired historical studies, fictional retellings, and academic debates about justice, gender, and medicine. Her experience serves as a cautionary tale about the fallibility of the justice system and the importance of scientific rigor in legal proceedings.
In a broader sense, Anne Greene's resurrection is symbolic. It represents not only a literal return from the brink of death but also a metaphorical rebirth into a society that had discarded her. While her story began in violence, exploitation, and injustice, it ended in survival, vindication, and new beginnings.
 
Conclusion:
The resurrection of Anne Greene is more than a curious footnote in history; it is a narrative of resilience against the odds, of a flawed justice system encountering an unexpected challenge, and of early medicine stumbling into miraculous success. Her ordeal offers a deeply human story of tragedy, survival, and the hope of renewal. In remembering Anne Greene, we are reminded of how far we have come - and how far we must still go - to ensure that justice, compassion, and truth prevail in our societies.

Reference:

• The True Crime File – Kim Daly.
  

Written By: Md.Imran Wahab, IPS, IGP, Provisioning, West Bengal
Email: imranwahab216@gmail.com, Ph no: 9836576565