The Inhuman Execution Method in Medieval England

The origins of this form of execution, which went through the processes of dragging-hanging-splitting-exposing, go all the way back to Rome. But it seems that these crimes are getting more and more aggravated with each passing day. Especially The wildest specimens in England Let’s take a closer look at these methods we’ve seen.

crime of treasonHe was also severely punished for crimes against the person. So much so that it even had a legal meaning: laese-majesty.

In the middle of the 13th century, we encounter the first example of this crime of treason.

Father of Edward I III. Under Henry William Marsh A knight named started piracy. According to the chronicle of Matthew Paris, he also attempted to assassinate the king. As such, he was tried and sentenced to death. He was dragged from Westminster to the Tower of London, where he was arrested, and hung on the gallows. It may sound normal at first. But things don’t go that well until he dies.

He was exhibited hanging from his arms, according to the information that he was held until his death. After he died, his stomach was pierced and his internal organs were burned on the spot. If you think that this is enough, you are wrong; Because organs were circulated in four different cities.

Men’s stamens and women’s noses and ears were cut off.

Thanks to the practices of powerful kings such as Edward I, this form of execution became commonplace among the people. The drag-as-smash-execution method even turned into a ritual during his reign. In addition, Edward, besides the crimes of “grave treason” “little betrayal” He also recognizes and states that treason is not limited to being against the person of the king or the monarchy. Thus, he protected the order and norm in the society.

In the face of this situation, the people were protected by the same rights as the king. the privilege of sharing the legal ground has experienced.

This practice was later legalized with the 1351 Treason Act.

This form of execution Edward applied it to control Wales and Scotland. Wales was never united under a single government. But he always struggled not to come under British control. Brother of the Prince of Wales when King Edward invaded the Principality of Wales in 1275 dafyddHe was taken prisoner by Edward when he fought against the king.

For the king, Dafydd drag-hang-shredding execute method he thought. These stages are described one by one in the Lanercost Chronicle. The king had Dafydd first dragged on the ground and then hanged on the gallows. Afterwards, his head was separated from his body and his intestines were removed and burned in the fire. In the last part of the execution, he separated his arms and legs from his body.

So that those who did not witness the execution would not be sad, he had all his organs circulated in the big city.

Each organ was exhibited in different cities. His right arm was sent to York, his left to Bristol, his right to Northampton, and his left to Hereford. He also exhibited his head in London for a long time.

medieval historian Katherine Royer, interprets that the main purpose of this method of execution and its exposure to the public is that the prisoner’s body becomes an actor. The more dramatic this event takes place, the greater the impact on the public will be. Therefore, the circulation of organs in the city was not a surprising event for that period.

These people were subjected to this method of execution because of England’s attempts to invade Wales.

Scottish nobleman William Wallace, who suffered a significant defeat to the British in particular, is among those who have had his share of this practice. Edward decided on this method of execution, which was also terrifying for Wallace. Before dragged through the streets of London; He then cut off his penis. Not only that, he took out his intestines and had all his organs burned there. And finally, he was beheaded.

After his head was cut off body divided into four parts It was circulated through the streets of London. Not his legs, as with Dafydd; This time he had his feet cut off.

These names are just a few of the examples. Too many records of people being executed and killed in this way have been identified.

As far as we can see, those who received this punishment were generally noble people who led the betrayal and rebellion. Making it a ritual was undoubtedly to intimidate the public. This degree of punishment was applied to take away the “noble” character of the noble person. This punishment was imposed on the nobles, who were usually greedy for a “win” against the king. It was considered a form of theft. For the king to take the lands they were in was nothing but theft.

We see that great efforts have been made to prevent the criminal from dying. While these events were taking place, it was undoubtedly considered that the person would suffer more and receive psychological damage.

Being an island nation, England had enemies from all sides. They developed such a brutal method of execution in order to protect themselves and to prevent a possible rebellion and betrayal against the domination; They also legalized it for a certain period of time. Apparently the aim is not only to execute the criminal; killing his reputation with him to prevent him from becoming a hero.

resources: Dergipark, Britannica