Jack Ketch

Ketch's execution of William, Lord Russell , on July 21, 1683 was performed clumsily, and a pamphlet is extant which contains his "Apologie," in which he alleges that the prisoner did not "dispose himself as was most suitable" and that he was interrupted while taking aim. On the scaffold, on the July 15, 1685, the duke of Monmouth, addressing Ketch, referred to his treatment of Lord Russell, the result being that Ketch was quite unmanned and had to deal at least five strokes with his axe, and finally use a knife, to sever Monmouth's head from his shoulders. In 1686 Ketch was deposed and imprisoned at Bridewell , but when his successor, Pascha Rose, a butcher, was, after four months in the office, hanged at Tyburn , Ketch was reappointed. He died towards the close of 1686.

As a result, the term Jack Ketch is also used:

as a proverbial name for Death or, sometimes, Satan ;

as a shorthand for the Gallows ;

as the name of the Hangman in the traditional version of Punch And Judy .

The Knot more commonly known as a Hangman's Knot is also sometimes known as Jack Ketch's knot.

As a figure of death in folklore "Jack Ketch" is also known as "Hanging Jack" and "Mister Graball".

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Jack Ketch