Combe Gibbet
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Combe Gibbet is a gibbet at the top of Walbury Hill near the village and just within the civil parish of Combe in Berkshire (formerly Hampshire).
It was erected in 1676 for the purpose of hanging George Broomham and Dorothy Newman and has only ever been used for them. The gibbet was placed in such a prominent location as a warning, to deter others from committing crimes.
George and Dorothy were having an affair and were hanged for murdering George's wife Martha, and their son Robert after they discovered them together on the downs. Unfortunately for the lovers, the murder was witnessed by Mad Thomas, who managed to convey what he had seen to the authorities.
Nowadays it is a popular local tourist attraction with good views of the surrounding area. It is also popular with hang gliders and paragliders. A replica gibbet marks the site (the original would have been destroyed many years ago; subsequent replicas have been replaced many times).
[edit] Location
The gibbet is on the Test Way close to the Berkshire-Hampshire border, it is named after Combe but it is also close to the village of Inkpen. The nearest sizeable town is Newbury, Berkshire.
It is built on top of a long barrow called Inkpen long barrow. The long barrow is 60m long and 22m wide.
Walbury Hill (the highest point in South East England) is just a little further to the east.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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