HIS HEAD CUT OFF
FOR FAILING TO VALUE 13Id HANGMAN’S WAGES The sum of thirteenpence halfpenny has no refernce to the payment to the hangman, as is shown in the notes to Butler’s “Hudibras”: “It is doubtful why that sum (thirteenpence halfpenny) was called ‘hangman’s wages,’ unless in allusion to the ‘Halifax Law,’ or the customery law of the Forest of Hardwick, by by which every felon taken within the liberty of precincts of the said forest, with goods stolen to the value of thirteenpence halfpenny, should, after three market day in the town of Halifax after his apprehension and condemnation, be taken to a gibbet there and have his head cut off from his body.” The following document tends to recify the old error that it cost only thirteenpence halfpenny to be hanged. It is copied verbation from a bill prepared by the executioner when Sir John Silvester was Recorder of London: — Silvester. Executioner's fees 7/6 Stripping the body 4/6 Use of shell 2/6 14/6
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Bibliographic details
Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 213, 17 September 1934, Page 2
Word Count
166HIS HEAD CUT OFF Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 213, 17 September 1934, Page 2
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