Mad Jack Hall
Encyclopedia
'Mad' Jack Hall (1667 - 13 July 1716) was a Scottish Jacobite
leader and property owner and a Justice of Peace in Northumberland
. He was a member of Clan Hall
, a Scottish clan of Norman descent and owned the Otterburn Tower
in Redesdale
, Northumberland; his initials are still carved over a doorway today.
. They were known to have a son named Robert, born 1700, died 1780. Hall had served many years as a Justice of Peace in Northumberland.
of 1715.
He was taken into captivity in Preston and was reportedly reprieved at least five times before being executed.While awaiting trial in prison, Hall remarked to a fellow prisoner "Our fathers gained land in Cromwell
's time as sequestrators
of rebels, now we are going to lose them for being rebels." He was beheaded at Tyburn
for high treason
on 13 July 1716.
He was described as a "violent, passionate and indiscreet man" but who was highly generous and beloved by his men.
It was his fiery and energetic temper which procured him the name of "Mad Jack Hall of Otterburn".
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
leader and property owner and a Justice of Peace in Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
. He was a member of Clan Hall
Clan Hall
Clan Hall is a Scottish clan of Norman descent. The clan has no position under Scots law, and has no chief recognised by the Court of the Lord Lyon.-History:Scottish history indicates that the name "Hall", is a Norman surname...
, a Scottish clan of Norman descent and owned the Otterburn Tower
Otterburn Tower
Otterburn Tower is a Grade II listed castellated, three star country house hotel in Otterburn, Northumberland. It is set in of deer park and woodland in the Northumberland National Park in northeastern England...
in Redesdale
Redesdale
Redesdale is a valley iin the western part of the county of Northumberland, in northeast England. This area contains the valley of the River Rede, a tributary of the North Tyne River. Redesdale includes the settlements of Elsdon, Otterburn, Rochester, Byrness and Carter Bar.Historically this...
, Northumberland; his initials are still carved over a doorway today.
Early life and background
He was born John Hall, probably at Otterburn Tower, in 1667. His father, John Hall, was born 1624 and died 1692. His wife was Alderman Hutchison's daughter and he married her in NewcastleNewcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
. They were known to have a son named Robert, born 1700, died 1780. Hall had served many years as a Justice of Peace in Northumberland.
Rebellion and execution
He was a major figure during the First Scottish Uprising in the Jacobite rebellionJacobite Rising of 1715
The Jacobite rising of 1715, often referred to as The 'Fifteen, was the attempt by James Francis Edward Stuart to regain the British throne for the exiled House of Stuart.-Background:...
of 1715.
He was taken into captivity in Preston and was reportedly reprieved at least five times before being executed.While awaiting trial in prison, Hall remarked to a fellow prisoner "Our fathers gained land in Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
's time as sequestrators
Sequestration (law)
Sequestration is the act of removing, separating, or seizing anything from the possession of its owner under process of law for the benefit of creditors or the state.-Etymology:...
of rebels, now we are going to lose them for being rebels." He was beheaded at Tyburn
Tyburn
Tyburn is a former village just outside the then boundaries of London that was best known as a place of public execution.Tyburn may also refer to:* Tyburn , river and historical water source in London...
for high treason
High treason
High treason is criminal disloyalty to one's government. Participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state are perhaps...
on 13 July 1716.
He was described as a "violent, passionate and indiscreet man" but who was highly generous and beloved by his men.
It was his fiery and energetic temper which procured him the name of "Mad Jack Hall of Otterburn".