# Martin's Close explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by M. R. James.

## What happens

The narrator, staying with a rector in the West, learns from estate carpenter John Hill about a small hedged enclosure called Martin's Close, where a murderer named George Martin is buried. Martin was hanged on Holy Innocents' Day by the 'bloody judge' Jeffreys for cutting a young woman's throat and casting her body into a pond. The narrator later discovers a manuscript of the trial, which includes testimony about the ghost of Ann Clark appearing after her death, and the trial before Judge Jeffreys at the Old Bailey.

## Themes in this chapter

### Supernatural and the Uncanny

The ghost of Ann Clark appears after her death, tormenting Martin and being seen by witnesses, as recounted in the trial and local legend.

### The Curse of Knowledge

The manuscript's secret history and the deciphering of shorthand reveal hidden truths about the murder and trial, suggesting knowledge comes with a burden.

### Decay and Mortality

The murder, the corpse in the pond, and Martin's execution on Holy Innocents' Day underscore themes of death and the decay of the body.

## Character check-ins

### John Hill

Estate carpenter and general handy man who tells the narrator about Martin's Close and the local legend of George Martin's murder and hanging.

### Squire Martin

George Martin, the prisoner tried for murdering Ann Clark; described as a young gentleman of a good estate, hanged for the crime.

### Ann Clark

The victim, a spinster whose throat was cut and body thrown into a pond; her spirit reportedly tormented Martin before his execution.

### Lord Chief Justice

Sir George Jeffreys, the 'bloody judge' who presided over Martin's trial and sentenced him to death.

### Mrs. Simpson

Sarah Arscott, keeper of the New Inn, who testifies about Martin's acquaintance with Ann Clark and a song she sang to provoke him.

## Key lines

> Old Mr. Saunders, he told a history regarding a cupboard down yurr in the New Inn. According to what he related, this young woman’s sperit come out of this cupboard: but I don’t racollact the matter.

Old Mr. Saunders recounted a story about a cupboard at the New Inn from which Ann Clark's spirit emerged, though John Hill could not remember the details.

_John Hill's recollection of the local legend about the ghost appearing from a cupboard._

> I shall show you, gentlemen, that Ann Clark’s body was found in the month of June, in a pond of water, with the throat cut: that a knife belonging to the prisoner was found in the same water: that he made efforts to recover the said knife from the water

The prosecution will present evidence that Ann Clark's body was discovered in June in a pond with her throat cut, along with Martin's knife, which he tried to retrieve.

_The Attorney's opening statement summarizing the key evidence against George Martin._

> She was a very short thick-made woman: I do not know what else you would have me say. ... She had a great face and hanging chops and a very bad colour like a puddock.

Sarah Arscott described Ann Clark as short and stout, with a large face, drooping jowls, and a complexion like a toad.

_Testimony from the innkeeper about Ann Clark's uncomely appearance, using the local term 'puddock' for toad._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/martin-s-close
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters