Devizes Market Cross…
The tragic tale of one Devizes woman
Our town is steeped in ancient, and not so ancient, history so stories of Wiltshire folklore are never far from our lips.
Today, people like to sit next to the Market Cross – also dubbed the ‘Monument’ – in the summer sun observing goings on, or use it as a vantage point for outdoor performances, carnival and festivals.
What you will also see if you sit there is the tale of intrigue, lies and dudden death.
Why was Ruth Pierce struck dead by God?
Ruth Pierce discovered what happens to those who steal and blaspheme and it wasn’t pleasant.
The full story of how she tried to swindle her companions and was dealt a deadly blow by the wrath of God is inscribed on the Market Cross in the centre of Devizes Market Place. It serves as a warning to us all to be honest and true.
Learn the lesson : Don’t be a Ruth!
Visit Devizes Market Cross: ///language.hero.unicorns and read the full story of Ruth’s sad demise.
Below is text from the original inquisition document carried out by John Clare, the coroner in Devizes on 26th January 1753…
‘..a Great Quarrel arose between four women in the Market place in the Bourrough of Devizes. Aforsaid whose names was Elizabeth Slade, Sarah Slade, Mary Parker and the aforesaid Ruth Pierce who joined together and bought one sack of wheat of one ffarmer Nathanial Alexander of the price of seventeen shillings……
After the collection of the money by one of the women gathered, it was noted that Ruth Pierce had not handed over her share of the payment which was four shillings. She was openly accused of withholding the money and the following account of what happened was documented in the inquisition, Ruth Pierce then;
‘called upon the Almighty for witness and wished she might drop down dead that minute if she had not paid it the Rash wish was repeated a second time and immediately from the Visitation of the Great and Almighty God was struck down upon the lane and as no marks of Violence appeared upon View of the Body the aforesaid jurors do propose that the aforesaid Ruth Peirce died asforsaid and not otherwise…’
Ceres :: Live performance of the Ruth Pierce story
Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA) commissioned this piece performed at Devizes International Street Festival by Bassline Circus and Full tilt Aerial Theatre.
