LW2: Molongs Half Moon Multi-Cache

There is deep water nearby so please take care with children or animals. We would not recommend that you attempt to retrieve the cache after dark.

In the middle ages the practice of ‘ducking’ or ‘swimming a witch’ was seen as definitive proof of witchcraft. Originally performed with a ‘ducking stool’, often later without. They would bind the victim's right thumb and left toe and with a rope attached around the waist, the 'witch' was thrown into water, usually a river or pond. If they floated they were guilty as they were rejecting the ‘baptism’, if they drowned then they were innocent. Simple really… logical even in a perverse way, if you think about it... though not exactly equitable.

We continue the story as the mob carried John and Ruth northwards from Tring towards Wilstone and Long Marston. There is much confusion over the actual location of the ‘water’ neither villages having a village pond, and little or no detailed record Reports vary but Nott Gregory, yeoman farmer of Wilstone, reported at the inquest that around 2pm in the afternoon of that Monday his children ran into the house shouting that they had got them. Rushing into his fields he saw a great procession of thousands moving towards some water in a meadow called Ten Acres, by nearby Lukes Lane. The water being a stream which they had dammed to create a shallow pond; Gregory apparently broke the dam but was chased off with sticks

Bolos Molongs, landlord of the Half Moon pub recounted that the mob arrived at his premises around 3 and in a ‘riotous’ manner carried the couple upstairs until they could determine a suitable location.

The scene of the 'ducking' is unknown; however one source suggests that Ruth was known by her family as “Dinah” and the site of ‘Dinah’s Pond’ on Astrope Lane, Long Marston could be the location of her death. The pond here was filled in 1971, reportedly a bleak location then overhung by trees, long gone

Onlooker, Harry Archer, saw Charles Young (known as ‘Red Beard’) and others bind the woman, carry her into the ‘pond’ and pull her through the water until they thought she had drowned. She was returned to dry land for 30 minutes to recover before again being returned repeatedly to the water; her husband, John, also being submitted, in turn, to the ordeal. Thomas Colley was instrumental in the activity and ‘turned’ the elderly lady repeatedly with a stick before she finally expired from the mud, water and cold. Colley then navigated the crowd collecting money for the ‘entertainment’ which he had provided them.

Ruth was returned to the Half Moon and the crowd dispersed. Later this was the scene of the inquest held in May 1751. John survived his ordeal, giving evidence, but was unable to gain work again, reportedly living out his years in the workhouse

You need the following numbers

The cache is located at
N 51 M K . (M/2) (N+3) (L+M)
W000 (K-L-M) L . (K-L-2) N (M-L)

As previously stated, due to the terrain please take great care whilst retrieving.

GPS coverage is not fantastic here so the hint is quite specific.