Which country first used the method of execution known as 'drawn and quartered?' For which type of criminal was this type of execution reserved, and who was the first victim?

mibmob

From a BBC site: Hanging, drawing and quartering was a common punishment [in Britain for those convicted of treasonable offences] in the Middle Ages. Victims were hanged until almost dead, and then beheaded and the rest of the body was cut into four quarters. The various body parts would then be put on display to discourage others. Nov 07 03, 9:30 AM

Senior Moments

It has to be one of the most sadistic forms of execution ever invented, which it was in 1241, specifically to punish William Maurice who had been convicted of piracy. It should properly be called drawing, hanging and quartering as the condemned was drawn to the place of execution on a hurdle (Similar to a piece of fencing made from thin branches interwoven to form a panel.) He was tied to the hurdle which was dragged by a horse. Once there the prisoner(s) were hanged in the normal way (i.e. without a drop to ensure that the neck was not broken) but cut down whilst still conscious. The penis and testicles were cut off and the stomach was slit open. The intestines were removed and burned before them. The other organs were torn out and finally the head was cut off and the body divided into four quarters. The head and quarters were parboiled to prevent them rotting too quickly and then displayed upon the city gates as a grim warning to all. At some point in this agonising process the prisoner inevitably died of strangling and/or haemorrhage and/or shock and damage to vital organs but it often took a long time to happen. http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/6142/hdq.html Nov 07 03, 10:25 AM

Doug1230

Other notables who received this punishment were William Wallace and Guy Fawkes. In the 16th century, more than 100 Catholics were drawn and quartered for their refusal to renounce their faith. Nov 07 03, 11:21 AM