Lord Brooke

In Dam Street at Stowe Pool on the side of Brooke House, a blue plaque marks an historic event. March 2nd 1643, Lord Brooke, a general of the parliamentarian forces was preparing to beseige the close at Lichfield, then garrisoned for King Charles I. On the spot marked by the plaque he was shot through the forehead and was killed. The marksman had positioned himself on the great steeple of the cathedral. That marksman was none other than John Dyott, although more often known as Dumb Dyott, who had been placed there to annoy the opposition for (as evidenced by the soubriquet) he was not considered of much help. It is generally considered to be among the luckiest shots in history.