hang em then try em.

[david small]

A certain Mag-Gen ,during the commonwealth era. Hung over a thousand prisoners, before trial. he then said they could now but them on trial. Any clever bod know Who? Where? When? Why?
thanks.

[jno]

I've never heard of this one - I look forward to hearing what more learned people than I have to say.

[ABerrant]

This does indeed sound intriguing.

The Major-Generals appointed as regional military governors during the Protectorate were pious Puritans or Baptists and such action as described in the question would not sit well with their beliefs. Indeed William Packer was described as one of the most severe of the Major-Generals in part because he is said to have violently assaulted a Royalist gentleman who appeared before him drunk. This is in no way synonymous with hanging 17-plus prisoners per week during the 15 month Rule of the Major-Generals.

[jake-the-peg]

I don't know this one it rings distant bells but it might be a really old piece oof Royalist propaganda because it sounds very like what is meant to have happened at the seige of Beziers when abbot Arnauld was asked how to know Cathars from the Godly and was meant to have sail "Kill them all God will know his own"

[jno]

there were also executions without trial during the French revolution, but I've been googling around and found nothing remotely like it in English history. Where did you hear this?

[david small]

Thats the thing. I read it recently, but cannot recall where.It was only a snippet of info, mayby wikipedia daily titbit. I made a mental note of the Maj-Gen's name, but then forgot it. My mental note taker is not what it was. Thanks for the attempts though.

[jno]

well, here they all are

http://en.wikipedia.o...rative_major-generals

None of the entries on any of the individuals mentions any such atrocity. I've studied quite a bit of history in my time and I'm sure I'd have come across anything like that; but it rings no bells at all.

[alexanderd]

are you sure it wasnt witchfinder general it was one of the tests for witches I believe, if they died they were innocent and if they survived they were obviously witches an therefore burnt

[dothawkes31]

was this not the ancestor of Sir Ranolph Feinnes?

[jno]

can't see any such blots on the escutcheons of this lot, Dot

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiennes

[Glynneatkel]

13th-century Lydford Castle Lydford, Devon was used as a prison, where an unusual form of justice was dispensed: punish first, try later.
The prison is commemorated in the poem Lydford Law by the Tavistock poet William Browne:
I've often hear of Lydford law,
How in the morn they hang and draw,
And sit in judgement after
Try looking this up. You may find something about a Major General