Executions at the Tower of London

Executions of the Tower of London Prisoners - Tower Hill or Tower Green
The type of executions of the Tower of London prisoners depended on the severity of the crime and whether the prisoners were members of the higher or lower classes - most executions were conducted in public. The vast majority of Tower of London prisoners who were sentenced to death met their end in public on Tower Hill.  But private executions of Tower of London prisoners were conducted behind the walls of the Tower if the execution was considered too politically sensitive to carry out in open view - this especially applied to the executions of women. Even these 'private' executions on Tower Green were conducted in the full view of many important spectators, which often numbered up to two hundred. These important victims of such executions were usually hurriedly buried in the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula situated next to Tower Green.
                                                                                                    Traitor's Gate

Executions by Beheading or other methods

Executions by beheading were considered the least brutal of execution methods and were accorded to important State prisoners or people of noble birth. The usual implement used for beheading was the axe. On very rare occasions the sword was used, such as in the case of Anne Boleyn's execution. Killing the lower classes was usually achieved by hanging from the gallows. The more serious the crime the more severe the punishment. Burning to death at the stake or the barbaric method of slowly killing by inflicting unimaginable pain was by 'Hang, Draw and Quartering' - these methods of execution might be delivered to any class of victim.

Executions by Beheading

Death by beheading with the use of the axe could be a terrifying prospect. The executioners often took several blows before the head was finally severed. If the executioner' axe was sharp and his aim was true, beheading was quick and relatively painless. If the instrument was blunt, the axeman inexperienced or careless, then the execution might take several strokes to sever the head. This was certainly the case in the execution by beheading of the brave Countess of Salisbury who was struck eleven times with the axe before she died.

Executions by Beheading - the Traditions

Various traditions were observed at executions by beheading. A raised platform was built (scaffold) and covered with straw. A minister of the church would be available to offer religious comfort to the victim. The victim would be expected to pay and forgive the executioner. It would be hoped that the headsman completed  his job swiftly and with care. The condemned prisoner was usually given the opportunity to address the spectators-with the King's permission.                   The Execution of Lady Jane Grey

The heads of traitors were displayed on top of spikes on London Bridge.