In this riveting episode of History Rage, host Paul delves into the gruesome details of executions in early modern Britain with the expert insights of historian Blessin Adams. Covering a wide range of topics from heresy trials to the role of executioners, the discussion provides a unique and unsettling perspective on the historical practices of punishment.
Key Points:
Heresy Trials and Executions:
- John Foxe, a contemporary theologian, collected accounts of heresy trials and executions, particularly in his work known as "Foxe's Book of Martyrs."
- The punishment for heresy was intentionally designed to be horrific due to the perceived severity of the crime.
- Blessin highlights the biases in historical accounts, urging caution in interpreting firsthand narratives.
Burning at the Stake for Heresy:
- The descriptions of heretics burning at the stake often glorify the martyrs, with a balance of horror and strange beauty portrayed by Fox.
- Blessin explores the unintended consequence of encouraging admiration for martyrs, possibly influencing others to face a similar fate.
Petty Traitors and True Crime Presses:
- Execution accounts of petty traitors differ significantly from those of heretics, emphasizing societal disgust and fear towards women who committed violent acts.
- True crime presses in the early modern period sensationalized these executions for entertainment and profit.
Execution Methods:
- Blessin discusses the absence of professional executioners like Pierpoint and Marwood in the early modern period.
- Hangings were a common method, and Blessin describes the disturbing scene of multiple hangings at the Tyburn tree.
Attempts to Hasten Executions:
- The discussion touches on historical attempts to hasten death using substances like tar pitch on the condemned's clothes.
- William Blackstone's argument that women were burned to maintain modesty due to concerns about nudity is explored.
Modesty and Execution Practices:
- Blessin shares insights into the strange dichotomy of modesty in executions, citing instances of women being buried alive to maintain decency.
- The discussion also addresses the myth of the executioner's mask.
Witnessing Executions:
- Blessin sheds light on the role of prison ordinaries who had unique access to condemned individuals and provided firsthand accounts of executions.
- The fascination with executions extended to public interest in final speeches and confessions, leading to a profitable market for printed accounts.
The Harsh Reality of Hangings:
- Blessin explores the brutal aspects of hangings, including family members attempting to expedite the deaths of their loved ones and the hangman's involvement.
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