en years.

[Illustration: AXE, BLOCK, AND EXECUTIONER'S MASK AT THE TOWER OF
LONDON.]

On May 12th, 1641, was executed Wentworth, Earl of Strafford; and on
January 10th, 1644-5, was beheaded Archbishop Laud. William Howard,
Viscount Stafford, a victim of Oates's perjury, was executed on December
29th, 1680. "Having embraced and taken leave of his friends," says Bell,
"he knelt down and placed his head on the block: the executioner raised
the axe high in the air, but then checking himself suddenly lowered it.
Stafford raised his head and asked the reason of the delay. The
executioner said he waited the signal. 'I shall make no sign,' he
answered, 'take your own time.' The executioner asked his forgiveness.
'I do forgive you,' replied Stafford, and placing his head again in
position, at one blow it was severed from his body."[25]

A noted name in history comes next, the Duke of Monmouth. He was
beheaded July 15th, 1685. "Here are six guineas for you," he said to the
executioner, "and do not hack me as you did my Lord Russell. I have
heard that you struck him three or four times. My servant will give you
more gold if you do your work well." Then he undressed, felt the edge of
the axe, and laid his head on the block. The executioner was unnerved,
he raised his axe, but his arm trembled as it fell, and only a slight
wound was inflicted. Several blows were given before the neck was
severed.

[Illustration: LORD LOVAT (_from a drawing by Hogarth_).]

We are now nearing the end of executions at the Tower, and only three
more names occur. The cause of Prince Charlie was supported by not a few
of the best blood of Scotland, but the battle of Culloden ended all
hopes for the Pretender, and brought misery to many of his brave
followers. William, Earl of Kilmarnock, and Arthur, Lord Balmerino, on
August 18th, 1746, were beheaded for their devotion to the Jacobite
cause. Simon, Lord Fraser of Lovat, had passed a shameless life, and
little can be said in his favour. In 1715, he fought against Prince
Charles Edward, but subsequently joined the Jacobites, and took part in
the battle of Culloden. He managed to escape from the field after the
engagement, and it was not until April 9th, 1747, that he was beheaded
on Tower Hill. On reaching the scaffold, he asked for the executioner,
and presented him with a purse containing ten guineas. He then asked to
see the axe, felt its edge, and said he thought it would do. Next he
looked at hi