Rye Quiz Trail: The Red Cloak That Led to a Terrible Mistake
Quiz Trails bring the extraordinary true stories hidden in Britain's towns and cities to life. This tale from our Rye Quiz Trail begins in 1742 with a mayor, an angry butcher — and a borrowed red cloak. Just over the border into East Sussex – very near to Kent!
James Lamb was Mayor of Rye and, as part of his role, also sat as a judge in the local court.
One of the men who appeared before him was a butcher named John Breads, who became FURIOUS after being fined.
He wanted revenge on James Lamb.
Why did a red cloak change everything?
One cold March evening, Lamb was supposed to attend a supper aboard a ship in Rye harbour. Feeling unwell, he asked his brother-in-law Alan Grebell to go instead.
Grebell agreed.
And because it was cold, he borrowed the mayor's distinctive red cloak.
Later that night, Grebell walked home through Rye churchyard.
Someone was waiting in the darkness.
And when that person saw the red cloak, he believed the man wearing it was James Lamb.
It became a terrible case of mistaken identity.
John Breads was soon caught as he’d left his knife at the scene inscribed with his initials.
But here comes an extraordinary moment in history …
At the trial, the judge overseeing the case was James Lamb himself! The very person the attacker had intended to confront!
At the trial, the angry butcher pointed directly at James Lamb and declared: “That's the man I meant it for.”
History is often stranger than fiction. A reminder that sometimes the smallest decisions - like borrowing a cloak for the evening - can change history forever.
You'll find the full story in our Rye Quiz Trail.
About Quiz Trails
Quiz Trails create self-guided walking adventures that bring the true stories, colourful characters and hidden history of towns and cities across Britain to life. Follow the clues, explore the streets and discover the stories hiding in plain sight.
Quiz Trail is a Community Interest Company - Making History An Adventure ...
Explore with Rye Quiz Trail and discover more remarkable stories from the town. quiztrail.co.uk/products/rye-quiz-trail
⭐ A CUSTOMER OF QUIZ TRAILS TOLD US
Karen said … “Really enjoyed completing the trail. It was very interesting and we loved how it took us to places we had never been before and showed us things we might never have seen. Will definitely be doing more of these trails.”
