Ward & Lock's descriptive and pictorial guide to the Isle of Man ...
Ward & Lock's descriptive and pictorial guide to the Isle of Man ...
Ward & Lock's descriptive and pictorial guide to the Isle of Man ...
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—92 Gitide <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Isle</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Man</strong>.About half a mile from Castle<strong>to</strong>wn, on <strong>the</strong> road <strong>to</strong> Ballasalla,isHango Hill,less familiarly known as Mount Strange (fi'om one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>titles <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Derby family), long used as <strong>the</strong> place <strong>of</strong> publicexecution. (It may be necessary <strong>to</strong> remind some over-subtlo(pecula<strong>to</strong>rs that <strong>the</strong> name Hango is <strong>of</strong> Sc<strong>and</strong>inavian origin,nnd has no reference <strong>to</strong> any mode <strong>of</strong> inflicting capital punishment.)The hill is his<strong>to</strong>rically memorable as <strong>the</strong> place whereWilliam Christian (Illiam Dhoan, in <strong>Man</strong>x) was shot, on <strong>the</strong>2nd <strong>of</strong> January, 1662, for alleged treason against <strong>the</strong> Countess<strong>of</strong> Derby, by heading an insurrection in 1651, <strong>and</strong> deliveringnp <strong>the</strong> isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Parliamentary troops. Christian hadbeen left in comm<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> isl<strong>and</strong> by tlie Earl <strong>of</strong> Derby,<strong>and</strong> was trusted <strong>to</strong> protect <strong>the</strong> Countess <strong>and</strong> her children.The energetic <strong>and</strong> stern Countess never forgave Christian,<strong>and</strong>, her feelings against him, perhaps intensified by <strong>the</strong>treacherous murder <strong>of</strong> her husb<strong>and</strong>, seized <strong>the</strong> first opportunityafforded by her reinstatement on <strong>the</strong> isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong> bringhim <strong>to</strong> trial before <strong>the</strong> Tyuwald Court, which found himguilty, <strong>and</strong> ordered him <strong>to</strong> be shot on Hango Hill. Whe<strong>the</strong>ror not Christian deserved <strong>the</strong> punishment, whe<strong>the</strong>r, indeed,he had not acted patriotically, is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> vexed questions<strong>of</strong> his<strong>to</strong>ry which, in a <strong>guide</strong>-book, we need not attempt <strong>to</strong>r.nswcr. It is certain that his countrymen generally regardedhis conviction as unjust, <strong>and</strong> at his execution, Ave are <strong>to</strong>ld," <strong>the</strong> place was covered with white blankets, that his bloodmight not fall on <strong>the</strong> ground," a precauti(*i which proved <strong>to</strong>be unnecessary, for <strong>the</strong> musket wounds bleeding internally,<strong>the</strong>re was no outward effusion <strong>of</strong> blood. The register <strong>of</strong>Kirk ]\Ialew Church contains this entry :" Malew Burials,AD. 1662. Mr. William Christian, <strong>of</strong> Ronaldswing, late receiver,was shot <strong>to</strong> death at Hango Hill, <strong>the</strong> 2nd <strong>of</strong> January.He died most penitently <strong>and</strong> courageously, made a goodend, prayed earnestly, made an excellent speech, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>next day was buried in <strong>the</strong> chancel <strong>of</strong> Kirk Malew." Hisestates were sequestrated, but subsequently res<strong>to</strong>red <strong>to</strong> hisfamily. Seekers after more detailed information on <strong>the</strong>subject may refer <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> "Appendix <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Introduction"<strong>to</strong> Scott's novel, in which also is given a translation <strong>of</strong> alament for "fair-haired William," in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Man</strong>x language.The original, we may hope, was more mstrical <strong>and</strong> musicalthan <strong>the</strong> translation which came in<strong>to</strong> Scott's h<strong>and</strong>, <strong>of</strong> whichone verse (<strong>the</strong> first <strong>of</strong> eicrhteen) may suffice :—