Medieval Europe left a huge bloody trail in world history. And all because the death pen alty in those days was put on a par with entertainment programs, so not a single weekend passed without this “entertainment”. The execution of the death sentence could not have taken place without the executioners. It was they who carried out torture, cut off heads and prepared guillotines. But who is the executioner: cruel and heartless or forever damned unfortunate person?
An ignoble calling
The executioner was considered an employee of the judicial system, authorized to carry out punishment and the death pen alty by the ruler of the state. It would seem that the profession of an executioner could well be honorable with such a definition, but everything was different. He was not free to change his occupation, go to public places.
They had to live outside the city, in the same place where the prisons were located. All the work hewe conduct it ourselves from beginning to end, that is, we prepared the necessary tools, and after the completion of the work, we buried the corpse. Their work required a good knowledge of anatomy.
There is a myth that they wore black masks. In fact, they did not hide their faces, and they could be recognized by their black robes and highly developed muscles. There was no point in hiding your face, because everyone already knew who the executioner was and where he lived. They covered their faces only during the execution of kings, so that their devoted servants would not take revenge afterwards.
Society
A paradoxical situation: the citizens watched the work of the executioner with delight, but at the same time despised him. Maybe the people would treat them with great respect, if they had a decent financial situation. They received little pay. As a bonus, they could take all the things of the executed. They often worked as exorcists. In the Middle Ages, they were sure that by torturing your body you can exorcise demons, this was in the hands of professional tormentors.
But the executioner - what kind of profession if it does not have certain privileges. He could take what he needed on the market absolutely free of charge. Such a peculiar benefit is explained by the fact that no one wanted to take money from the hands of the killer. At the same time, the state needed such people, and therefore the merchants followed this rule.
Another way of earning for them was trading in unusual gizmos. These included body parts of executed people, skin, blood, and various potions. Alchemists were sure that from such ingredientsyou can create special potions. They also bought gallows ropes, according to some legends, it could bring good luck to its owner. Doctors bought up the bodies completely and carried out their studies of the human body and entrails on them. Magicians bought skulls for their rituals.
Who is the executioner in his position, one could understand by coming to church. Like any other Christian, he was admitted to it, but he had to stand at the very entrance and take communion last.
Bloody Dynasty
Who would have thought to start doing such a craft? The profession of an executioner in the Middle Ages was inherited - from father to son. As a result, whole clans were formed. Almost all executioners living in the same region were related by family ties. After all, representatives of other classes would never give their beloved daughter for such a man.
The lowly position of the executioner was able to tarnish the entire family of the bride. Their wives could only be the same daughters of executioners, gravediggers, knackers, or even prostitutes.
People called the executioners "whore sons" and they were right, because they often became the executioners' wives. In tsarist Russia, there were no dynasties of executioners. They were chosen from former criminals. They agreed to "dirty" work in exchange for food and clothes.
Subtleties of craftsmanship
At first glance it may seem that this is a fairly simple job. In fact, it took a lot of knowledge and training to behead criminals. It is not easy to cut off the head on the first attempt, but when the executionerknew how to do it, it was believed that he had reached a high level of skill.
Who is a professional executioner? This one who understands the structure of the human body, knows how to use all kinds of torture devices, has sufficient physical strength to wield an ax and dig graves.
The Executioner's Curse
There was a legend among the people that the executioner was cursed. Whoever knew this understood that there was nothing to do with magic and the supernatural. This was due to the view of society on the life of people engaged in ignoble craft. According to tradition, having become an executioner, it was no longer possible to refuse this work, and if a person refused, he himself was recognized as a criminal and executed.
This is how, having become a torturer-executioner by origin, a person was forced to do “dirty” work all his life. No free will. Life away from people, the inability to change jobs and a limited choice of life partner. For centuries, in the dynasties of executioners, more and more hereditary killers were born.
