Execution By Burning

Execution by Burning has a long history as a method of Punishment for Crimes such as Treason and for other unpopular acts such as Heresy and the practice of Witchcraft . For a number of reasons, this method of execution fell into disfavor among governments in the late 18th Century ; today, it is considered Cruel And Unusual Punishment . The particular form of execution by Burning in which the condemned is bound to a large Stake is more commonly called '''burning at the stake'''.

CAUSE OF DEATH

If the fire was large (for instance, when a large number of prisoners were executed at the same time), death often came from the Carbon Monoxide poisoning before flames actually caused harm to the body. However, if the fire was small, the convict would burn for a few minutes in pain until death from Heatstroke or loss of Blood Plasma . Typically, the executioner would arrange a pile of wood around the condemned's feet and calves, with supplementary small bundles of sticks and straw called ''faggots'' at strategic intervals up his/her body. Unless the authorities were particularly vindictive against a prisoner, family and friends could bring additional faggots to make the death more humane.

When applied with skillful with only their calves in fire. In many burnings a rope was attached to the convict's neck passing through a ring on the stake and they were simultaneously strangled and burnt. In later years in England, some burnings only took place after the convict had already Hanged for a half-hour. In some Nordic and German burnings, convicts had containers of gunpowder tied to them or were tied to ladders and then swung into fully burning bonfires. A container of gunpowder tied at the neck might be used to bring about a quicker (and thus more merciful) death, since the victim would suffer only until the gunpowder was heated enough to explode. Some prisoners refused this, however.

HISTORICAL USAGE

, Nicholas Ridley , and Thomas Cranmer .]]
Burning was used as a means of execution in many ancient societies. According to ancient reports, Roman authorities executed many of the early Christian Martyr s by burning. These reports claim that in some cases they failed to be burnt, and had to be Beheaded instead. However, all such ancient manuscripts were copied by Christian Monk s, and even Catholic sources state that many of these claims were invented. Under the Byzantine Empire , burning was introduced as a punishment for recalcitrant Zoroastrian s, due to the belief that they worshiped fire.

In 1184 , the Synod Of Verona legislated that burning was to be the official punishment for Heresy . This decree was later reaffirmed by the Fourth Council Of The Lateran in 1215 , the Synod Of Toulouse in 1229 , and numerous spiritual and secular leaders up through the 17th Century .

Among the best-known individuals to be executed by burning were Jacques De Molay ( 1314 ), Jan Hus ( 1415 ), St Joan Of Arc ( May 30 , 1431 ), William Tyndale ( 1536 ), Michael Servetus ( 1553 ), Giordano Bruno ( 1600 ), and Avvakum ( 1682 ). Anglican martyrs Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley (both in 1555 ), and Thomas Cranmer ( 1556 ) were also burned at the stake.

In the United Kingdom, the traditional punishment for women found guilty of treason was to be burnt at the stake, while men were Hanged, Drawn And Quartered . There were two types of treason, High Treason for crimes against the Sovereign, and Petty Treason for the murder of one's lawful superior, including that of a husband by his wife. In 1790 , Sir Benjamin Hammett introduced a bill into Parliament to end what is now widely considered a barbaric practice. He explained that the year before as Sheriff of London he had been responsible for the burning of Catherine Murphy , found guilty of Counterfeiting , but that he had allowed her to be hanged first. He pointed out that as the law stood, he himself could have been found guilty of a crime in not carrying out the lawful punishment and, as no woman had been burnt alive in the kingdom for over fifty years, so could all those still alive who had held an official position at all of the previous burnings. The act was duly passed by Parliament and given Royal Assent by King George III (30 George III. C. 48).

MODERN BURNINGS

Contrary to popular belief, people are still accused of witchcraft and burnt today (most notably in Africa ). Executions by burning (from modern Witchhunt s) have occurred as recently as 2000 in India and Kenya .

NOTES

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Execution By Burning