Jack Ketch /(?)/

Jack· Ketch

Jack Ketch

  1. A public executioner, or hangman. [Eng.]
    The manor of Tyburn was formerly held by Richard Jaquett, where felons for a long time were executed; from whence we have Jack Ketch.
    — Lloyd's MS., British Museum.
    [Monmouth] then accosted John Ketch, the executioner, a wretch who had butchered many brave and noble victims, and whose name has, during a century and a half, been vulgarly given to all who have succeeded him in his odious office.