Hanging for Signing Four Names.
People have not always been allowed the {pleasure of having as many names as they wish. Four hundred years ago not even a middle name was allowed in England. It was illegal. The old English law was definite and admitted of no infraction of its ruling. The only exception made to this regulation was in the case of persons of Royal rank. If they wished, they could boast a middle name, but woe to the person of ordinal y rank who was sufficiently unwise or obstinate to insist on having more than two appellations. For the first offence he would likely be tied to a whipping post and severely lashed. For a second offence he would endure some more lasting punishment, perhaps the removal of his thumbs or hi; ears. And if he still persisted in his stubbornness he would be hanged. There is a case on record of a man who insisted on signing four names every time he wrote his signature. He passed through all the legal stages of punishment until lie was finally hanged.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HPDG19150514.2.22
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Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 14 May 1915, Page 3
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182Hanging for Signing Four Names. Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 14 May 1915, Page 3
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