The execution of Lord Russell was a smooth job, slickly done, compared to what would happen with the Duke of Monmouth. Lord Macaulay, in speaking of the execution of the latter, says: • He then accosted Jack Ketch, the execu tioner, a wretch whose name has, during a century and a half, been vulgarly given to all who have succeeded him in his odious office. Ketch was forced to issue a pamphlet 'Apologie', in which he claimed that Russell had 'moved' as the axe fell and had therefore been at fault. The execution was said to have been conducted quite poorly by Ketch, who later wrote a letter of apology. His assistant, Paskah Rose, formerly a butcher, took his place, but on 28 May, following his conviction for robbery, Rose himself was hanged at Tyburn and Ketch reinstated. It was customary for the victim to pay the executioner to ensure a quick finish to the business, but Ketch’s first blow at Russell was badly off target. It’s better to live somehow than not at all.”—Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860–1904). We hear of two particularly grisly incidents in this arena: the executions of William, Lord Russell, and the Duke of Monmouth. Jack Ketch n. also Jack, Jack Catch, John Ketch, Ketch, Master Ketch, Mr Ketch [proper name of the common executioner Jack Ketch (c.1663–86).Partly on account of his barbarity at the executions of Lord Russell, the Duke of Monmouth and other political offenders, and partly perhaps from the obvious links with the SE catch, his name became widely known. Ketch's notoriety stems from "barbarity at the execution of Lord Russell, the Duke of Monmouth, and other political offenders". “The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.””—Bible: Hebrew, Exodus 24:12. They were all assembled, up on the scaffold and ready to go, when the Duke walked over to Ketch and said: “Here are six golden guineas for you, Ketch. Paul's. He then accosted John Ketch the executioner, a wretch who had butchered many brave and noble victims, and whose name has, during a century and a half, been vulgarly given to all who have succeeded him in his odious office. Ketch was the man tasked with executing the Duke of Monmouth: The Duke of Monmouth knew all about Jack Ketch’s reputation for incompetence. Even among the bloodthirsty throngs that habitually attended English beheadings, the gory and agonizing display had created such outrage that Ketch felt moved to write and publish a pamphlet titled Apologie, in which he excused his performance with the claim that Lord Russell had failed to "dispose himself as was most suitable" and that he was therefore distracted while taking aim on his neck. [10], In January 1686, Ketch was committed to Bridewell Prison for "affronting" a sheriff. He appears in Dickens’ novel… Jack Ketch, English executioner notorious for his barbarous inefficiency; for nearly two centuries after his death his nickname was popularly applied to all of England’s executioners. Lord Macaulay, in speaking of the execution of the latter, says: • He then accosted Jack Ketch, the execu tioner, a wretch whose name has, during a century and a half, been vulgarly given to all who have succeeded him in his odious office. [7], In 1836 a fictitious autobiography of Ketch, with illustrations from designs by Meadows entitled The autobiography of Jack Ketch, was published. Ketch's notoriety stems from "barbarity at the execution of Lord Russell, the Duke of Monmouth, and other political offenders". Jack Ketch was a British executioner in the late 1600's, who executed such notables as Lord Russell in 1683, and the Duke of Monmouth in 1685. Even among the bloodthirsty throngs that habitually attended English beheadings, the gory and agonizing display had created such outrage that Ketch felt moved to write and publish a pamphlet titled Apologie, in which he excused his performance with the cl… Late 17th century. Ketch's notoriety stems from "barbarity at the execution of Lord Russell, the Duke of Monmouth, and other political offenders". John Ketch († 1686), allgemein bekannt als Jack Ketch, war ein englischer Scharfrichter (Henker) unter König Karl II.Der irische Einwanderer war vermutlich ab 1663 als Scharfrichter tätig und war für seine brutalen Hinrichtungen berüchtigt. The executioner, Jack Ketch, was so inept that he took four axe blows to separate the head from the body. Do not hack me to bits as you did with Lord Russell. On that occasion, Ketch wielded the instrument of death either with such sadistically nuanced skill or with such lack of simple dexterity—nobody could tell which—that the victim suffered horrifically under blow after blow, each excruciating but not in itself lethal. The executioner, Jack Ketch, was so inept that he took four axe blows to separate the head from the body. 2 comments July 21st, 2014 Headsman. Russell spent his last day peacefully in the Tower, spending the morning in devotions with the Scottish archbishop Alexander Burnet. After… He executed William Russell, Lord Russell in Lincoln's Inn Fields on July 21, 1683 and the onlooking crowd were horrified by the clumsy way in which it was performed. On this date in 1683 at Lincoln’s Inn Fields in London the great Whig parliamentarian William, Lord Russell was beheaded with a legendary want of dexterity by Jack Ketch.. In a much lower historical register, Lord Russell’s execution was egregiously bungled by the London headsman Jack Ketch, who had to bash repeatedly at the man’s neck before he could remove it from the shoulders. The climax of his career. Ketch was the man tasked with executing the Duke of Monmouth: The Duke of Monmouth knew all about Jack Ketch’s reputation for incompetence. The first recorded mention of him He spoke and prayed more than half an hour, his body was, after quartering, put into a coffin, and the same day was conveyed to London, and buried privately the Thursday following at night in St. Gregory's church near St. He was referring the execution of Lord William Russell, whom Ketch had hacked to death in 1683, using several blows of the axe to carry out the deed. But Jack Ketch could not turn down this opportunity for a comeback. 'Here ', said the Duke, 'are six guineas for you. Stephen College, born at Watford in Hertfordshire, nephew to Edmund College of St. Peter's in the Bayly, suffered death by hanging in the castle yard Oxon, and when he had hanged about half an hour was cut down by Catch or Ketch, and quartered, under the gallows, his entrails were burnt in a fire made by the gallows. From the name of Jack Ketch (d. 1686), public executioner in London, known in particular for his executions of William, Lord Russell and James Scott, Duke of Monmouth. Lincoln's Inn Fields was the site of the gruesome and prolonged public beheading of Lord William Russell in 1683, after he was convicted of being part of the Rye House Plot against King Charles II. He executed the death sentences against William Russell, Lord Russell, in Lincoln's Inn Fields on 21 July 1683, and James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, on 15 July 1685, after the Monmouth Rebellion. William Russell, Lord Russell (29 September 1639 – 21 July 1683), was an English politician. [Note 1] In 1679, there appears from another pamphlet purporting to be written by Ketch himself, and entitled The Man of Destiny's Hard Fortune, that the hangman was confined for a time in the Marshalsea prison, "whereby his hopeful harvest was like to have been blasted. More recently, Jack Ketch plays a role in Neal Stephenson's 2003 and 2004 volumes Quicksilver and The System of the World, the first and last volumes, respectively, in his The Baroque Cycle series (though the last volume is set in 1714, well after the death of the historical Jack Ketch. ... Lord Russell, in Lincoln's Inn Fields on 21 July 1683, and James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, on 15 July 1685, after the Monmouth Rebellion. Jack Ketch - Lord Russell's Execution Lord Russell's Execution Ketch's execution of Lord Russell at Lincoln's Inn Fields on 21 July 1683 was performed clumsily; in a pamphlet entitled The Apologie of John Ketch, Esquire he alleged that the prisoner did not "dispose himself as was most suitable" and that he was interrupted while taking aim. Appointment [7][11] Another book entitled Life of Jack Ketch with Cuts of his own Execution was furnished by Tom Hood for the Duke of Devonshire's library at Chatsworth. This was the big one. Do not hack me to bits as you did with Lord Russell. He was not the only executioner dispatching the condemned at Tyburn, but he was the most infamous, earning a reputation for brutality remarkable even for a man in his profession. Because of his botched executions, the name "Jack Ketch" is used as a proverbial name for death, Satan and executioner. [From the archives] Jack Ketch, otherwise known as John Ketch or Richard Jaquet, began his twenty-three year career as London’s leading executioner in 1663. KETCH, JOHN, commonly known as ' Jack Ketch ' ( d. 1686), executioner, is supposed to have been the immediate successor in the office of hangman to Edward Dun, who had in his turn succeeded Richard Brandon [q. v.], the executioner of Charles I. The name Jack Ketch has been synonymous with death and execution since the mid-1600s when the real Jack Ketch was hired as an executioner by King Charles II. He was beheaded by Jack Ketch on 21 July 1683 at Lincoln's Inn Fields. Tower Hill in London. He executed William Russell, Lord Russell in Lincoln's Inn Fields on July 21, 1683 and the onlooking crowd were horrified by the clumsy way in which it was performed. He then accosted John Ketch the executioner, a wretch who had butchered many brave and noble victims, and whose name has, during a century and a half, been vulgarly given to all who have succeeded him in his odious office. “Let us be of good cheer, however, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never come.”—James Russell Lowell (1819–1891), “If I were asked to chose between execution and life in prison I would, of course, chose the latter. From the 18th century, the name was also used for the character of the hangman in the Punch and Judy show. On the scaffold on July 15, 1685 the duke of Monmouth, addressing Ketch, referred to his treatment of Lord Russell, the result being that Ketch was quite unmanned. He executed the death sentences against William Russell, Lord Russell, in Lincoln's Inn Fields on 21 July 1683, and James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, on 15 July 1685, after the Monmouth Rebellion. Lincoln's Inn Fields was the site of the gruesome and prolonged public beheading of Lord William Russell in 1683, after he was convicted of being part of the Rye House Plot against King Charles II. Because of his botched executions, the name "Jack Ketch" is used as a proverbial name for death, Satan, and executioner. The history of Jack Ketch dates to the 1680s. And big money if he did it right. Sein Name wurde zum Synonym für den Tod, den Teufel und den Henker im Allgemeinen.. Wednesday at 11. [3], Because of his botched executions, the name "Jack Ketch" is used as a proverbial name for death, Satan and executioner. John Ketch, who as "Jack Ketch", was an infamous English executioner in the time of King Charles II. He was appointed as an executioner and performed his duties with barbarous inefficiency, causing major suffering to those he executed, most notably the Duke of Monmouth, and Lord Russell. William Russell, Lord Russell - Wikipedia Monmouth was beheaded by Jack Ketch on 15 July 1685, on Tower Hill . They were all assembled, up on the scaffold and ready to go, when the Duke walked over to Ketch and said: “Here are six golden guineas for you, Ketch. Die Hinrichtung von Lord William Russell am 21. ), James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth's execution, on, James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth's execution, "On the top of the sheet is a woodcut, in which is represented Edward Coleman [q. v.] drawn in a sledge to the place of execution, exclaiming, 'I am sick of a traytorous disease,' while Jack Ketch, with a hatchet in one hand and a rope in the other, is saying, 'Here's your cure, sir.' He executed the death sentences against William Russell, Lord Russell, in Lincoln's Inn Fields on 21 July 1683, and James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, on 15 July 1685, after the Monmouth Rebellion. [7][Note 2], On that occasion, Ketch wielded the instrument of death either with such sadistically nuanced skill or with such lack of simple dexterity – nobody could tell which – that the victim suffered horrifically under blow after blow, each excruciating but not in itself lethal. Russell was beheaded by Jack Ketch on 21 July 1683 at Lincoln's Inn Fields. Jack Ketch was a British executioner in the late 1600's, who executed such notables as Lord Russell in 1683, and the Duke of Monmouth in 1685. In 1686 Ketch was deposed and imprisoned at Bridewell. Ketch's notoriety stems from "his barbarity at the execution of Lord Russell, the Duke of … Jack Ketch Death, Satan or the Executioner? You would think, from his name being tied to executions, that he was very good at his job, actually, the inverse is true. Ketch died in November 1686. "[7] A short entry in the autobiography of Anthony à Wood for 31 August 1681 describes how Stephen College was hanged in the Castle Yard, Oxford, "and when he had hanged about half an hour, was cut down by Catch or Ketch, and quartered under the gallows, his entrails were burnt in a fire made by the gallows". [9], He [the duke] would not make use of a cap or other circumstance, but lying down, bid the fellow to do his office better than to the late Lord Russell, and gave him gold; but the wretch made five chops before he had his head off; which so incensed the people, that had he not been guarded and got away, they would have torn him to pieces. Definition of jack ketch in the Definitions.net dictionary. It is not known if Ketch’s next actions resulted from his being disconcerted, annoyed or distracted by these words. He executed the death sentences against William Russell, Lord Russell, in Lincoln's Inn Fields on 21 July 1683, and James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, on 15 July 1685, after the Monmouth Rebellion. You would think, from his name being tied to executions, that he was very good at his job, actually, the inverse is true. Ketch is believed to have received his appointment as public hangman in 1663. Do not hack me as you did my Lord Russell. the executioner who beheaded lord Russell and the duke of Momnouth. The history of Jack Ketch dates to the 1680s. Much of his reputation is based on grim incidents reflecting poorly on his skill — not with the noose but with the sword with which he was less practiced. 1683: Lord Russell, Whig martyr. Ketch was notorious for horribly bungling executions, and to this day the name "Jack Ketch" symbolizes an executioner, usually a hangman.Beginnings of an Executioner. Ketch's notoriety stems from "his barbarity at the execution of Lord Russell, the Duke of Monmouth, and other political offenders." Ketch's notoriety stems from "his barbarity at the execution of Lord Russell, the Duke of Monmouth, and other political offenders." Ketch's notoriety stems from "barbarity at the execution of Lord Russell, the Duke of Monmouth, and other political offenders". What does jack ketch mean? Meaning of jack ketch. [2] He became famous through the way he performed his duties during the tumults of the 1680s, when he was often mentioned in broadsheet accounts that circulated throughout the Kingdom of England. He is first mentioned in the Proceedings of the Old Bailey for 14 January 1676,[6] although no printed notice of the new hangman occurred until 2 December 1678, when a broadside appeared called The Plotters Ballad, being Jack Ketch's incomparable Receipt for the Cure of Traytorous Recusants and Wholesome Physick for a Popish Contagion. Jack Ketch Death, Satan or the Executioner? Ketch was notorious for horribly bungling executions, and to this day the name " Jack Ketch " symbolizes an executioner, usually a hangman . [2][4][5], Ketch took office in 1663, succeeding the late Edward Dun, to whom he had been apprenticed. [3] Contents. Ketch had recently executed Monmouth’s friends, Lord William Russell, in a rather messy fashion and Monmouth requested his execution be carried out a bit cleaner, going so far as to offer the executioner money beforehand and promising more should the job be performed skillfully. It is largely from this event that Ketch derives his lasting reputation as an incompetent and/or sadistic butcher, mutually reinforcing with Russell’s martyr status. Ketch's execution of Lord Russell at Lincoln's Inn Fields on 21 July 1683 was performed clumsily; in a pamphlet entitled The Apologie of John Ketch, Esquire he alleged that the prisoner did not "dispose himself as was most suitable" and that he was interrupted while taking aim. 'Here ', said the Duke, 'are six guineas for you. The first recorded mention of him is in The Plotters Ballad, being Jack Ketch's incomparable Receipt for the Cure of Traytorous Recusants and Wholesome Physick for a Popish Contagion, a broadside published in December 1672. He appears in Dickens’ novel… He had to deal at least five strokes with his axe and finally use a knife to sever Monmouth's head from his shoulders. The beheading of Lord William Russell in July 1683 was a typically botched affair of Ketch’s. The name Jack Ketch has been synonymous with death and execution since the mid-1600s when the real Jack Ketch was hired as an executioner by King Charles II. It is largely from this event that Ketch derives his lasting reputation as an incompetent and/or sadistic butcher, mutually reinforcing with Russell’s martyr status. Ketch was forced to issue a pamphlet 'Apologie', in which he claimed that Russell had 'moved' as the axe fell and had therefore been at fault. It was customary for the victim to pay the executioner to ensure a quick finish to the business, but Ketch’s first blow at Russell was badly off target. In a pamphlet probably written by Ketch himself, and entitled 'The Apologia of John Ketch, Esquire' (the title of 'esquire' being still claimed by the hangmen in confirmation of the arms granted to Richard Brandon), in 'vindication of himself as to the execution of the late Lord Russell, 21 July 1683.' On that occasion, Ketch wielded the instrument of death either with such sadistically nuanced skill or with such lack of simple dexterity – nobody could tell which – that the victim suffered horrifically under blow after blow, each excruciating but not in itself lethal. [7], Jack Ketch is one of the characters in Giovanni Piccini (d.1835) The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Punch and Judy as dictated to John Payne Collier, in 1828. He was appointed as an executioner and performed his duties with barbarous inefficiency, causing major suffering to those he executed, most notably the Duke of Monmouth, and Lord Russell. Ketch's notoriety stems from "his barbarity at the execution of Lord Russell, the Duke of Monmouth, and other political offenders." Even among the bloodthirsty throngs that habitually attended English beheadings, the gory and agonizing display had created such outrage that Ketch felt moved to write and publish a pamphlet title Apologie, in which he excused his performance with the claim that Lord Russell had failed to "dispose himself as was most suitable" and that he was therefore distracted while taking aim on his neck. In a much lower historical register, Lord Russell’s execution was egregiously bungled by the London headsman Jack Ketch, who had to bash repeatedly at the man’s neck before he could remove it from the shoulders. His name has come to be associated with death, Satan and executions. [12] He is mentioned in the Charles Dickens novels Oliver Twist, Dombey and Son, The Pickwick Papers[13] and David Copperfield and in the C. M. Kornbluth science fiction story "The Marching Morons" (1951). ", "[Deathpenalty]death penalty news----worldwide", "Killing > murder, 14th January 1676 (t16760114-7)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jack_Ketch&oldid=1005262208, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 6 February 2021, at 20:30. Thousands and thousands of people watching. He executed the death sentences against William Russell, Lord Russell in Lincoln's Inn Fields on July 21, 1683, and James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth on July 15, 1685, after the Monmouth Rebellion. His name has come to be associated with death, Satan and executions. John Ketch (died November 1686), generally known as Jack Ketch,[1] was an infamous English executioner employed by King Charles II. the executioner who beheaded lord Russell and the duke of Momnouth. ", "[Aug.] 31. The beheading of Lord William Russell in July 1683 was a typically botched affair of Ketch’s. He is thought to have been appointed in 1663. Jack Ketch by Paperback Book, 162 pages ... Lord Russell in Lincoln's Inn Fields on July 21, 1683, and James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth on July 15, 1685, after the Monmouth Rebellion. Do not hack me as you did my Lord Russell. Punch with Jack Ketch, early 1900s.