medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
There was a line of logic which ran through it all,with this being just a
part of it. The object of this bit was that it should be 'notable' (C.16
quote). In England it was specifically for High Treason, however it should
suit those in the ascendancy to interpret 'High Treason'. The object of the
exercise was the utter destruction of a person from rank (stripped by
attainder), reputation, family (disinherited), property (forfeit), life,
and body ('to do with as the king chooses'). Its reputation was such that
those sentenced usually appealed not against the death penalty but that
the mode of execution be commuted to simple beheading, or that they should
not be cut down and disembowelled until dead. A very unsubtle form of plea
bargaining. At least one executioner was noted for his expertise in such
matters so it clearly had something of the bullfight about it.
But I don't think that the 'filth' of the human body entered into it. Nor
were there any especially religious connotations other than that the king
was God's Annointed. Rather it was to show the power of the monarch. 'This
could be you'. No point in doing it privately.
regards
john a w lock
From: Amy Airhart <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Related Bloodshed
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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
I found my curiosity piqued by a certain
late Mediæval practice which was constantly referred to. Was there any
point to disembowelling secular/sacred criminals other than for pain? It
may be a stretch, but it seems to me that perhaps it is the most obvious
and brutal way of showing the 'filth' of the human body. Does anyone know
anything concerning this? Much appreciated.
cheers
Amy
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