Combe gibbet stands on the top of Combe down, and was erected on top of a Neolithic burial mound. It was only ever put to use once in 1676. George Broomham of Combe, and Dorothy Newman of Inkpen were lovers. They brutally killed Martha and Robert Broomham who had come across them together on the Downs. Unfortunately for them they were seen committing the crime by the village idiot, Mad Thomas.
They were both tried and hanged at Winchester Assizes. Their dead bodies were hung on either side of the gibbet to act as a deterrent to other would-be wrong doers.
(11th October 2008)
