From publicly executing criminals to throwing them into castle dungeons, these men were an integral part of Medieval life.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 interesting facts about Medieval Executioners that you may not have known.
Medieval executioners were individuals who were hired to carry out the death penalty for criminal acts, as decided by the courts of the period. In many cases, they worked directly for the state or monarchy, though in some instances they might also have been employed by a local feudal lord.
“The executioner was a necessary but despised figure in medieval society, viewed with a mixture of fear, loathing, and fascination.”
Michael Prestwich, Professor of History at the University of Durham, specializing in the history of medieval England.
Medieval executioners were responsible for carrying out a wide variety of methods of execution, from beheading to burning at the stake. They often had to ask the condemned for their final words before executing them, and were expected to act with a certain level of professionalism during the process.
Medieval executioners were usually assigned to a specific region or town, where they would take care of executions and punishments. Executioners could travel to different locations if needed, but typically stayed within the same area.
“Public executions were a form of entertainment in medieval times, with crowds gathering to witness the spectacle and enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere.”
Robert Bartlett, Emeritus Professor of Medieval History at the University of St. Andrews, specializing in the social and cultural history of medieval Europe.
Generally speaking, medieval executioners worked for the state or local government. They could also be employed by local feudal lords, depending on the situation.
Medieval executioners typically lived in the same area where they carried out their duties, often in special dwellings provided by the local government. This allowed them to remain close to their work while still maintaining a degree of privacy from the public.
“Executioners were often outcasts, shunned by society and forced to live on the fringes of towns and cities.”
Elizabeth Papp Kamali, Assistant Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, specializing in the legal and social history of medieval Europe.
Yes, medieval executioners were usually compensated for their services. The amount of money they received varied depending on the job and region, but generally speaking it was not a very lucrative profession.
Many executioners were not paid, but could supplement their income by charging a fee for executions. For those that did receive payment, salaries ranged from a few coins to an annual salary of 1,000 pounds.
“The executioner was a symbol of the state’s power to control and punish, and his role was crucial in maintaining law and order.”
Ruth Mazo Karras, Professor of History at Trinity College, Connecticut, specializing in the social and cultural history of medieval Europe.
Medieval executioners used a variety of methods of execution depending on the crime committed and the judgement of the courts. These included hanging, beheading, burning at the stake, drawing and quartering, and other gruesome methods.
Medieval executioners had a variety of methods they used to execute criminals. The most common method was beheading by sword or axe, but executioners also used various forms of torture and hanging.
Executioners sometimes asked for the criminal’s last words before the sentence was carried out, and occasionally extended mercy if the criminal was repentant.
Executioners were employed by governments or royal courts, and often lived in castles close to where they worked in the Castles Dungeons.
Torture methods were often employed as a means of extracting confessions or instilling fear in citizens. Medieval executioners used methods such as stretching on the rack, flogging, and placing victims in the stocks. They also employed a variety of tools, including thumbscrews, branding irons, and iron boots.
Overall, medieval executioners had a wide range of methods they used to carry out sentences. Beheading and hanging were the most common methods of execution, while torture and corporal punishment were used to extract confessions and instill fear in citizens.
Executioners may have asked for final words before carrying out a sentence, and sometimes extended mercy if the criminal was repentant.