A Pun that Cost a Life
According to Stowe, Sir William Collingborne was executed in 1484 for writing the following pun, which, in his day, was considered excellent wit:--
"The Rat, the Cat, and Lovel the dog,
Rule all England under the Hog."
Rule all England under the Hog."
This was during the reign of Richard III. of England.
The chief agents of his wicked schemes were Catesby, Ratcliff, and Lovel. Lovel was a common name for a dog On the escutcheon of the king was a white boar.