Today is the anniversary of the execution of the rebel Duke, captured in a ditch near Ringwood dressed as a shepherd.
The execution was a botched affair. The Duke offered the axeman a purse of coin if he did a good job but this was not to be. The axe was not sharp and the first blow glanced off. Several more attempts were made to no avail and by this time the crowd were becoming insensed. Finally after about 6 blows the head was finally severed using a knife. The executioner had to be escorted off by a body of troops as the crowd were by then extremely angry at the poor ending to a popular figure. Soon handkerchiefs were being dipped in the blood of the new martyr.
Ralphadeus. Music movies comics feature in this look at life from Somerset.
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