"I know I am always bringing up Mary Queen of Scots, but I can't resist again here. We know that her execution was botched in several ways - a real travesty which caused Elizabeth much grief...but to her decapitation. It's said that she, thinking she would be beheaded by the French Sword method, knelt upright as you describe, and had to be assisted down to the block, where she uplifted herself in confusion again and had to have her head put back on the block again. Then it took 3 whacks - the first of which only sliced her neck - and a sawing motion to get her head off. And of course, everything that was used was burned and destroyed, even her dog being scrubbed repeatedly to get her blood off of him. Nobody wanted any "relics" to survive.

Thank you for your wonderful information. It would be very interesting to read about this subject, and can you recommend any reading material? "

"Great post, Lady Karen, as usual!

Axe and block? Brutal, usually a mess - if botched, up there with hanging, drawing and quartering for agony. Yes, Mary Queen of Scots suffered a horrible demise. I could see how she expected a French execution, being a Queen of France - however, she knew of the axe and block; can't hide either on the scaffold. How incredibly composed she remained. Here's a link (in modern English):

http://englishhistory.net/tudor/exmary.html

The whole Mary Queen of Scots fiasco deeply disturbed Elizabeth - no wonder she prevaricated for almost 20 years. The former was her cousin, a crowned and anointed queen, a political and religious danger, etc. Elizabeth fumed not only over the butchery, but the execution itself, even though she'd signed the warrant (reluctantly - her Privy Council pressed her). As well, one can speculate - did she privately think of her mother's execution by her father? Another crowned an anointed queen, executed. Of course, we'll never know.

"

"The manual decapitation was widely used for a number of years. In the 1700’s there was a political party citing the inhumane nature of executions in general. Among the members of this party was Doctor Joseph Ignace Guillotin. The crown was NOT interested in housing and feeding criminals their entire life. Dr. Guillotin offered instead a more humane method of decapitation.

With the help of Tobias Schmidt, a harpsichord maker, who suggested an angled blade instead of a round blade, they perfected the method for mass use.

Unfortunately, research now shows that because of the swift nature of the decapitation, the victim was still conscious and alert up to 30 seconds after their head drops!!

How horrible would that be?!? Looking around a basket the last seconds of your life, I can’t imagine! 30 seconds probably seemed like an eternity.
"

"Oh my God. Vere also mentions AB's lips and eyes moving and it must have been as you say "due to the swift movement"; it must have to do with nerve transmission of messages to the brain. The brain, then, must still register cognition in a "delayed" fashion? It's too complicated for me to try to sort out into words or science, but it renders the whole idea of that type of execution totally depraved. Yes, when you know that 30 seconds is an eternity in trauma - again, how the brain registers...I think of victims of plane crashes who are aware they are going to die. Apparently, though, some kind of emotional "detachment"occurs for many and they are calm...I have read a lot about this. I think God in His mercy allows victims of violent death to - in a way - "leave their bodies" as "observers". At least that is what I have formulated as a theory and have read some things to back it up that won't ever be scientifically authenticated because in society, God and Science don't mix. Well, Kombat, thanks for the info.

Imagine if you were the victim and your last 30 seconds were experienced seeing the mob as the executioner held your head up and shouted "God Save the King"! Well, hopefully part of you would be with the Angels and they'd be telling you, "God knows the whole story...""

"

.......... AB's eyes searched for and focussed on her bleeding body. Please take that with a handful of salt - it's a legend......"

"The executioner what beheaded anne was called BULL not jean rombaud this info can be found in a book clled execution a guide to the ultimate penalty author Geoffery Abbott he was a beefeater at the tower of london the sword which was use is one of two in the royal amorys collection it has the flat tip and not the rounded tip as heading swords did not have a pionts at the tip the sword with the rounded tip is german the flat tip sword is the older and is prob the one used in her beheading."

"It is an interesting and a bit morbid discussion,but again,interesting. Apparently French executioners were well-known for their prowess,and Henry believed he was showing mercy to Anne;but,no mention is made of who did the deed for Katherine Howard? Also,I did read that KH had to kneel and place her head on a block,did styles change between Anne and Katherine?"

"The difference is the weight of the weapon. The axe being heavier would need to fall .... this sounds gruesome but much like chopping wood. A person would put their head on the block so the axe had somewhere to land. The sword on the other hand flies horizontally so the person kneels and no need to have a block. The axe was the normal method of execution and of course there were terrible stories of botched axe executions like Lady Salisbury and Cromwell ...and I am sure many more. The swordsman was a skilled man with the sword and would have been paid a lot more. In fact if you translate the value of payment to today's money, he was paid approximately 7 - 10,000 dollars. It makes you realise that Henry did know that she was innocent....he didn't give Katherine Howard, the same "kindness"."