The Capon Tree Traditional Cache
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An historic cache and dash. This cache isn't recommended for access from the A69. There is parking next to it on Capon Tree Road
This cache really ought to be part of the Smiley’s wonderful Jacobite series but maybe we just got there first. This memorial, the Capon Tree Monument, was erected in 1904, and is just outside Brampton town centre.
Bonnie Prince Charlie planned his siege on Carlisle from Brampton, during his march South during the 1745 Jacobite uprising. Following the surrender of the city of Carlisle to the Jacobites, he received the keys of the City from the Mayor and Aldermen at his head quarters in Brampton (The building still exists in Brampton High Street and has a plaque commemorating the event). A French sword and bonnet were later discovered in the Half Moon Inn and were thought to be owned by the French ambassador in the Prince's entourage. The sword and bonnet are now kept at the Tullie House Museum in Carlisle.
But luck was not with six of the Prince's supporters who stayed behind at Carlisle Castle when the Prince retreated from Cumberland to Scotland. They were hanged at the site in 1746 from a large ancient oak tree during the terrible outburst of retribution that followed the Battle of Culloden and the crushing of the clans and the Jacobite cause. They were hanged by the Duke of Cumberland, later named 'Butcher Cumberland' on account of his brutality.
The ancient tree, no longer standing at the Capon memorial, is allegedly called the Capon tree on account of the Capons given as bribes by defendants to 17th and 18th century circuit judges on their court rounds. The judges used to sit below the branches and eat their picnic lunches, no doubt consisting of roast capon and other delicacies
If anyone knows of another reason for calling the tree, a capon tree, I’m happy to be corrected
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vg'f n oynpx ovfba ol gur srapr naq zrgny tngr cbfg arne gur choyvp sbbgcngu gb N69. Frr fcbvyre cubgb sbe n dhvpx svaq
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