The Hangman
From The Brighton Toy and Model Index
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| Punch and Judy characters: | Punch - Judy - The Baby - The Clown - The Constable - The Hangman - The Devil - The Crocodile - The Doctor - The Forgotten Characters |
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The Hangman is sometimes known as "Jack Ketch".
While there is no fixed plot to a Punch and Judy show, if Jack Ketch does arrive then it will be with the intention to punish Punch for his crimes but inevitably he ends up being tricked into hanging himself.
Much like Punch hitting the baby, this aspect of the show has fallen out of popularity.
The real Jack Ketch
The character's name comes either from the actual executioner Jack Ketch, who was appointed in 1663 and was famous for his inefficiency in performing his duties, or from the fact that Ketch's name became so infamous it was used to refer to public executioners in general.
