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STOP PRESS - The book was highlighted on Radio Cambridge many thanks to the lovely Sue Marchant - and has received a rave review from GOOGLE NEWS. In April 2009 on BBC Radio Lincolnshire Melvyn Prior featured the book in a 15 minute interview and called it ‘Gruesome, but very interesting, lot’s to talk about here’!
A Portrait of ‘The Hanging Judge’
The Lord Chancellor Judge George Jeffreys
The following is an actual extract written by a clerk in the Court of Assize in Taunton Castle.
This [the trial of Alice Lisle for aiding a fugitive traitor] was the first case of treason on the circuit; and there seemed to be a strong probability that his prey would escape him [Judge Jeffreys]. He stormed, cursed, and swore in language which no wellbred man would have used at a race or a cockfight. One witness named Dunne, partly from concern for Lady Alice, and partly from fright at the threats and maledictions of the Chief Justice, entirely lost his head, and at last stood silent.
“Oh how hard the truth is,” said Jeffreys, “to come out of a lying Presbyterian knave.”
The witness, after a pause of some minutes, stammered a few unmeaning words.
“Was there ever,” exclaimed the judge, with an oath, “was there ever such a villain on the face of the earth? Dost thou believe that there is a God? Dost thou believe in hell fire. Of all the witnesses that I ever met with I never saw thy fellow.”
Still the poor man, scared out of his senses, remained mute;
and again Jeffreys burst forth. “I hope, gentlemen of the jury, that you take notice of the horrible carriage of this fellow. How can one help abhorring both these men and their religion? A Turk is a saint to such a fellow as this. A Pagan would be ashamed of such villany. Oh blessed Jesus! What a generation of vipers do we live among!”
“I cannot tell what to say, my Lord,” faltered Dunne.
The judge again broke forth into a volley of oaths. “Was there ever,” he cried, “such an impudent rascal? Hold the candle to him that we may see his brazen face. You, gentlemen, that are of counsel for the crown, see that an information for perjury be preferred against this fellow.”
[...]
A prisoner affirmed that the witnesses who appeared against him were not entitled to credit. One of them, he said, was a Papist, and another a prostitute.
“Thou impudent rebel,” exclaimed the Judge, “to reflect on the King’s evidence! I see thee, villain, I see thee already with the halter round thy neck.”
Another produced testimony that he was a good Protestant.
“Protestant! ” said Jeffreys; “you mean Presbyterian. I’ll hold you a wager of it. I can smell a Presbyterian at forty miles.”
One wretched man moved the pity even of bitter Tories. “My Lord,” they said, “this poor creature is on the parish.”
“Do not trouble yourselves,” said the Judge, “I will ease the parish of the burden.”
Judge Jeffreys died in The Tower of London. Visitors often jump when they hear the sound of his chains!
He was indeed so very often drunk when hearing cases that he became confussed on what or who he was listening to. He would stamp his feet, bang his fists, swear and scream at his victims.
The punishment of William Wallace in the movie ‘Braveheart’ was carried out in the 13th Century. Here we are in the 17th Century with the old rituals bought back.
In ‘Braveheart’ the execution was ‘toned down’ - ‘racking’ was not being stretched on ropes - it was the means of delivering the victim to the place of execution. Dragged on a ‘hurdle’ by horse for up to two miles, naked. Mel Gibson arrived on a horse and cart - what a luxury. There was no blood shown in ‘Braveheart’ - how strange! In reality the executioner cut out his still beating heart and held it before the crowds.
Some say that the graphic tortures listed are too gory and that life in the 21st Century is bad enough without being reminded of our past.
I write hisorical fiction books, the stories are based on fact and fiction, the punishments are real!
