Execution' of 28 Welsh boy hostages by King John

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In 1212 King John held 28 sons of Welsh noble families hostage.Some as young as 12, lived at the castle for some time and then one day, King John ordered all the hostages executed."A chronicler states that the boy's pitiful cries rang around the castle as one after the other they were taken up on the ramparts and hanged in a row." 
***The words bellow are taken from A short history of Nottingham castle ***
In order to keep the Welsh Prince Llewellyn in subjection, John, had taken as hostages 28 boys, ranging from 12 to 14 years of age, and kept them in his Castle at Nottingham. It is said the news came to the King while staying at his hunting palace at Clipstone that the Welsh Prince had again broken out in revolt. Hastily summoning his followers, he held a Council beneath the spreading branches of an oak tree (now known as Parliament Oak), when the execution of the. hostages was decided upon. Then he swore “by the teeth of God” that he would not eat again until he had wreaked his vengeance, and mounting his steed, he rode in all haste to Nottingham Castle, where he gave instructions for the execution of the hostages, as a preliminary to quelling the rising; and the shameful order was immediately carried out before his eyes, the boys being taken from their play—some screaming, others pleading in vain for mercy—and hanged on the Castle walls. Another barbarity recorded by Matthew Paris, confirms the despicable character of the King. A clerk of the Exchequer—Geoffrey by name — on small suspicion was thrown into a dungeon at Nottingham Castle and there done to death: “He closed him in leade, and so, by depryvinge him of al ayre bereft him of his life withal.”

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