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An extremely rare, large English 17th-18th Century Iron Executioner's Axe.
The Axe of typical heavy form, hammered from a single piece of iron. The blade with rough surface, large curved and beveled cutting edge and long shaft for insertion of a wooden pole.
Executioner's axes tend to be larger and heavier than the typical 'woodman's axe', with which they are often confused. For an Executioner's axe identical to this, please see the Tower of London Axe, now on permanent display at the Tower of London Museum1.
Many famous people have been executed in British History. In contrast to their continental cousins, the British seem to have preferred the axe to the sword as a method of decapitation. Despite the horrific thought of being decapitated with an iron blade, execution by axe was considered a most noble way of dying, a privilege of the elite and akin to death on the battlefield!2 However, British Executioners were not noted for their skill and were often drunk, requiring several blows of the axe to complete the execution. An amusing quote attributed to the Duke of Monmouth (executed in 1685 by axe) reflects this:
"Here are six guineas for you and do not hack me as you did my Lord Russell. I have heard you struck him four or five times; If you strike me twice, I cannot promise you not to stir!"3
Length of Axe and pole: Over 54 1/2 inches.
Horizontal length of axe:13 1/2 inches
Length of cutting edge: over 9 inches.
Condition: Axe unrestored and in excellent condition. Pole probably an antique addition.
Provenance: Ex. German Auction house. Ex. English Private Collection. According to the original owner this axe may originate from the Tower of London itself.
References:
1 This axe is currently on display with an executioners block at the Tower of London Museum, London, England. Images of the display can be found via the online photographic community. For example, please see http://www.flickr.com/photos/jm999uk/2563984861/
2 see Geoffrey Abbott, Execution, chapter 1.
3 http://www.executedtoday.com/2008/07/15/
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