Sunday, September 30, 2012

Question from Penelope - Queens paying their executioner

I've heard that traditionally, the condemned paid the headsman for his services prior to their executions - would this have applied to the executed Tudor queens (Anne, Kathryn, Jane Grey) as well, or, being of noble blood, were they allowed to forgo that? It seems so needlessly barbaric!

3 comments:

Amy said...

I believe I read that Anne Boelyn did pay her executioner.

Amy said...

I believe I recall that Anne Boelyn did pay her executioner. I'm pretty sure Mary, Queen of Scots did as well.

TudorQueen said...

I have read in the past that payment was exacted in order to insure a quick and painless death. The alternative being a death that required multiple blows to end ones life.