History's Worst And Most Botching Executioner Jack Ketch

Throughout the Medieval period and the Tudor era in England there were a huge amount of executions that took place. We know of notorious Kings such as Henry VIII who ordered thousands of executions across his realm. As time shifted the 'Bloody Code' was introduced in England and this was where people could pay the ultimate price with their lives for even committing minor offences. However there was one executioner who's reputation as a blundering and bloody axeman was incredibly notorious.

Jack Ketch began life as an executioner following a stint in Marshalsea Prison. At the time prisoners upon their release were offered the chance to become an executioner. He would perform many executions over a number of years in the 1600s, however there were two in particular which were incredibly botched and brutal. Ketch performed the execution of William Lord Russell, and with this took a rather significant number of strikes to sever the head from the body of the condemned. This was a rather sorrowful sight for those watching on that day, as executions were performed in public.

Things would get worse however when Ketch performed James Scott the Duke of Monmouth's execution. Beforehand Scott paid Ketch to perform the job quickly to ensure a quick death, however this would not happen. It would take an estimate 8 strokes of the axe to kill the Duke of Monmouth, and with every strike the crowd would turn away in horror. Ketch even appeared to give up at one point, however returned to finish the job with Monmouth's flailing body still on the block. He even had to use a butcher's knife to finish the job.

So join us today as we look at 'History's BLOODIEST Executioner, Jack Ketch.'

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Music - I Am A Man Who Will Fight For Your Honour - Chris Zabriskie.