Hannah Twynnoy

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Hannah Twynnoy (* 1669 or 1670; † October 23, 1703 ) was, according to contemporary sources, the first person in Great Britain to be killed by a tiger. According to the information, on a no longer extant memorial plaque Twynnoy was a barmaid who at Lion pub in County Wiltshire located Malmesbury worked.

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Tombstone

Hannah Twynnoy's headstone, Malmesbury Abbey Cemetery

On the tombstone is the name, age at the time of death, 33 years on October 23, 1703, and also a poem

In bloom of Life
She's snatchd from hence,
She had not room
To make defense;
For Tyger fierce
Took Life away.
And here she lies
In a bed of Clay,
Until the Resurrection Day.

plaque

Historian John Bowen has found more detailed records of the incident, taken in Victorian times from a plaque believed to have been on the parish church of Hullavington, a village five miles from Malmesbury.

content

To the memory of Hannah Twynnoy. She was a servant of the White Lion Inn where there was an exhibition of wild beasts, and amongst the rest a very fierce tiger which she imprudently took pleasure in teasing, not withstanding the repeated remonstrance of its keeper. One day whilst amusing herself with this dangerous diversion the enraged animal by an extraordinary effort drew out the staple, sprang towards the unhappy girl, caught hold of her gown and tore her to pieces.

translation

In memory of Hannah Twynnoy. She was a servant of the White Lion Inn where an exhibition of wild animals was taking place, between these there was also an extremely combative tiger, which she carelessly found joy in teasing, regardless of the repeated reproaches by its owner. One day, while she was amusing herself with this dangerous diversion, the angry animal, through extraordinary effort, tore the stake out of the ground, jumped at the unhappy girl, got hold of her dress and tore her to pieces.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Malmesbury's tiger woman has place in history . thisiswiltshire.co.uk. September 24, 2007. Retrieved December 13, 2013.