General view of Unstone
A day of sunshine today. I was up and away just after nine, ready for the ten mile drive over into North East Derbyshire which borders the southern suburbs of Sheffield. Past Meadowhead and Low Edges then on through Dronfield on the B6057 till I reached Unstone. Left turn then up the lane to the main village where I parked Butch - my Nissan Juke.
Boots on and I was off in the sunshine - a six mile circle to complete. Heeding advice from a few well-meaning blog visitors, this morning I ate a bowl of porridge with a mashed banana in it and half a spoonful of honey too. There was proper fuel in the Pudding tank.
I walked through two tiny villages that are served by unclassified roads - quite off the beaten track. They were Hundall and West Handley. If I had then walked a further mile eastward I would have reached West Handley's sister villages - Middle Handley and Nether Handley.
In West Handley, I saw this sad plaque on the side of a house:-
I undertook a little research about this awful event and discovered that Eliza and Benjamin were not only husband and wife but also first cousins. A contemporary newspaper described Ben Hudson as "an idle, ignorant, selfish and cruel-hearted man". The fatal beating he gave Eliza with a hedge stake was as horrendous as it was unjustifiable. Ben Hudson was tried and found guilty of murder at Derby Assizes Court and later hanged in Derby Gaol.
Path across a field of young rapeseed plants
Given recent rains, some of the paths I was following were quite treacherous so I walked with caution to avoid slipping down. As Monica (Beyond the Lone Islands), Jason (Arctic Fox) and Elsie (Drifting Through Life) have recently reminded us all, having a fall can have very regrettable outcomes for senior citizens. I did not wish to join that list.
It was a lovely, varied walk. I saw some things and made good use of a sunny morning at the very end of November.
Thatched farmhouse in West Handley
What's this?! You mean to say the sun EVER shines in Merrie Olde England? I can't believe it. I'll have to consult Dickens and Shakespeare and Conan Doyle again. It'll take me awhile. Have a pint or two and I'll get back to you.
ReplyDeleteActually Bruce, the sun shines out of my arse.
DeleteWhile I don't believe in the death penalty, somehow it seems a fitting end to a man who beat his wife to death with a stake.
ReplyDeleteThat was another nice walk for you.
Yes - a stake - not a steak. That would be quite different I think.
DeleteGood use of a sunny morning indeed, and I am glad you had acted upon the advice of some blogging friends and eaten more than just a handful of grapes and a banana.
ReplyDeletePoor, poor Eliza to die at the hands of a violent husband at only 24. And horribly, violence against women - mainly from their partners or ex-partners - is still happening daily, all the time, everywhere, no matter the social status or intelligence of those involved.
I am glad that I never had such a nasty streak in me. I have never once raised a hand to Shirley though I must admit that once or twice I have raised my voice.
DeleteThat thatched cottages could be in Dorset. It looks a good walk.
ReplyDeleteI took another picture of the thatched farmhouse thirteen years ago. Where did all that time go?
DeleteGorgeous day to be outdoors!
ReplyDeleteIndeed it was but I was suitably attired for the cold.
DeleteLooks like a great walk, and a bit of research.
ReplyDeleteA walk can be lots of things including follow-up historical research. The internet is great for that.
DeleteI am a bit surprised that Benjamin Hudson was tried and found guilty, much less hanged. Violence against wives was often considered a much lesser crime. As it still too often is. I suppose this murder was so horrendous that it was impossible to make light of it. Sounds like no one liked the guy and that may have had something to do with it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got out for a walk. Looks like a good one.
Eliza had sought support from the law and Hudson had previously been detained and restrained. He had a bad reputation and was indeed a horrible, lazy young man. He deserved what he got.
DeleteSunshine at this time of year is a precious and short-lived commodity. You did well to take advantage of it in such lovely surroundings.
ReplyDeleteThe weather forecasters had it spot on Janice.
DeleteSome things never seem to change, men killing their intimate partners.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a tale of yore that carries on and on.
DeleteLooks like a good hike! You might also carry a granola bar and some water when you are out for such a long hike. Keep your strength up. Good workout!
ReplyDeleteOnly six miles. I had a good drink of water from my flask before I set off.
DeleteA good way to spend a sunny day in winter.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what poor Eliza did to enrage her husband to the point of his beating her to such a horrific death? Probably not much and I think he got his come-uppance - he must have thought he would get away with it.
By all accounts he was a lazy good-for-nothing fellow with a cruel streak. I suspect that Eliza had done absolutely nothing wrong.
DeleteThat's a beautiful roof on that farmhouse. Sounds like a great walk! I wonder who erected the blue plaque for Eliza? It doesn't look like an "official" plaque, from English Heritage.
ReplyDeleteI thought the same about the plaque Steve. Maybe a past resident had it made... but the story is true and well-documented.
DeleteI remember driving a bus to Unstone back in my bus driving days, I spend a deal of my childhood in North East Derbyshire (Killamarsh) and remember riding my bike to some wonderful places.
ReplyDelete