I am pleased to announce that once more I shall don the costume of High Sheriff Ward for another grisly tour of The blood on English Street. Join us for tales of grave robbing, botched executions, bloody battles, notorious prisoners and cruel punishments.
Winding down the hill you are invited to envisage the sea of bodies and makeshift gallows that sprung up following doomed rebellions. As well as the dead there was the half dead strewn about. Caught pick-pocketing? Vigilante justice 17th-century-style meant were you were drowned to within an inch of your life in the Quoile — and the next time there was no bringing you back to life.
The very bottom of English Street wouldn’t have smelt too good either. Aside from all the bodies it was a place where rotten vegetables waited to be pelted at the poor miscreant being punished on the pillory.
Even High Sheriff Bernard Ward, who I am bringing back from the dead, couldn’t escape a bloody end on this street. Born in Castle Ward he lived in precarious times. William and Mary had just been crowned and religious tempers were flaring. Bernard was challenged to a duel in 1690 in row over priests being banished from Ireland. Despite mortally wounding his opponent also ended being run through by a sword outside the Petty Sessions.
The tour is completely free but spaces are limited. Tickets are available here.
