Famous Executions
Execution of William Wallace (1305)
Wallace was judged for treason however he had never sworn loyalty to
English king. William Wallace was strapped to a wooden hurdle. He was
dragged though the streets to the Elms at Smithfield. There he was
hanged from a gallows but cut down while he still lived. He was
disembowelled before he was beheaded and his body was cut into pieces.
The quarters of Wallace’s body were sent to Berwick, Newcastle upon
Tyne, Stirling and Perth to show the price of treason. Wallace’s head
was spiked above London Bridge.
Execution of Anne Boleyn (1536)
Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII was found guilty by treason and
adultery. She was sentenced to death. Henry hired a skilled executioner
with a heavy continental sword. Anne’s death was over in seconds, her
head being cut off while her lips were still moving, saying “To Christ I
commend my soul!” A “mercifully” quick death when compared to others who
had crossed the King.
Catherine Howard was a next Henry's Wife executed for high treason. She
died by one stroke.
Execution of Countess of Salisbury (1541)
The Countess of Salisbury was the last member of the royal house of
Plantagenet. She was imprisoned for treason over her alleged involvement
in a plot to overthrow King Henry VIII. She denied being a traitor.
Lady Salisbury, who was 67 years old, frail and ill, was dragged to the
block, but refused to lay her head on it, having to be forced down. As
she struggled, she made it very difficult for the inexperienced
executioner.
His first axe stroke made a gash in her shoulder rather than her neck
and several more blows were required to complete the execution.
Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (1587)
Mary was executed by order of Elizabeth I of England. She was beheaded
by axe. The execution went wrong and it took about 3-10 strokes to end
her life (depending on source).
27 Czech Lords Executed in Prague (1621)
27 Czech protestant leaders were executed in Old Town Square in Prague
by order of Austrian Habsburgs. They revolted agains catholic church in
1618 what was initial moment of Thirty Years' War.
Three noblemen, seven knights and seventeen burghers were executed,
including Dr. Jan Jesenius, the Rector of Prague University.
The leaders were executed by sword in combination with other
punishments. Jesenius lost his tongue, then he was beheaded, his body
was quartered and placed into wheel, many executed leaders lost also
their right hand (symbol of broken oath to the emperor).
Some heads and bodies were given to family members. Other heads of
executed rebels were placed on Prague Town Hall and on a bridge tower.
The heads were removed and buried with honor by Saxon army in 1631.
This horrific mass execution pressed many Czechs to join the Catholic
church in the following years.
Execution of Charles I, king of England (1649)
Charles was executed by order of Cromwell's Parliament. Charles was
executed by axe. His head was exhibited for one day.
Execution of Louis XVI of France and Marie Antoinette (1793)
The French royal couple was executed by guillotine during French
revolution. The blade did not sever his neck entirely the first time but
his execution said the king died bravely. Marie was guillotined 10
months later. ] Her last words were "Pardon me sir, I meant not to do
it", to the executioner, whose foot she had accidentally stepped on
after climbing the scaffold.
Execution during WW2
Execution by axe. Yugoslavian partisan executed by German nazi soldiers.
Unlawful execution by a bestial regime.
Australian POW executed by a Japanese soldier
Execution in Yemen
Execution in Saudi Arabia a few years ago
A woman executed by sword due witchcraft.
