Jack Ketch (d. 1686) was a notorious English headsman under King Charles II. Ketch took office in 1663, succeeding the late Edward Dun, to whom he had been apprenticed. But the main thing he is remembered for is, he kept missing. Often with disastrous consequences. No one was or is sure whether he was just awkward or doing it on purpose. On July 21, 1683 Lord William Russell ascended the scaffold to be executed. And when Ketch missed with his axe, Lord Russell exclaimed “You dog, did I give you ten guineas to use me so inhumanely?” The first chop hit Lord Russell's shoulders. Only two blows later was he finally killed. Because of this reputation Jack Ketch is used as a proverbial name for death, Satan or executioners in general.
