Not Just the Tudors Tudor True Crime: Lynching of the "Duke's Devil"
Feb 19, 2026
Alastair Bellany, historian of Stuart politics, outlines the 1628 mob killing of occultist John Lambe and its ripple effects. He traces Lamb’s violent reputation and legal controversies. Short scenes cover apprentice moral policing, pamphlet politics, links to Buckingham, and how the murder became a symbol of failing royal authority.
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Conviction, Pardon, And Public Resentment
- While imprisoned, Lamb was convicted in 1624 for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old and then pardoned soon after.
- A conviction followed by a pardon deepened public suspicion and resentment toward elite protection.
Competing Narratives After The Killing
- Contemporary ballads framed Lamb's killing as an execution of a witch, while pamphlets emphasized his sexual crimes.
- These different narratives show competing public meanings assigned to the violence.
Buckingham As Political Lightning Rod
- George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, became a scapegoat for military failures and corruption in the 1620s.
- Linking Lamb to Buckingham turned witchcraft accusations into potent political attacks.