Sweet Jesu, for thy mercy's sake,
And for thy bitter passion,
Save us from the axe of the Tower,
And from Sir Ralph of Ashton.
This rhyme is traditionally known in the North of England, and refers,
it is said, to Sir Ralph Ashton, who, in the latter part of the
fifteenth century, exercised great severity as vice-constable. The
ancient custom of _riding the black lad_ at Ashton-under-Lyne on Easter
Monday, which consists of carrying an effigy on horseback through the
town, shooting at it, and finally burning it, is alleged to have taken
its origin from this individual, who, according to tradition, was shot
as he was riding down the principal street. According to another story,
the custom commemorates the valiant actions of Thomas Ashton at the
battle of Neville's Cross.