I finished my first day of a new class yesterday. They really packed in the details.
The first hour was all about the history of the noble profession. How it was used to be handed down through the family and how jobs started to become scarce in the latter 19th century.
Then we spent two full hours going over the tools of the trade. First swords, then axes, two headed axes and so on. We then joined together to desecrate the guillotine as it really took the sport and skill away from the job.
After a little break we watched some films on the proper methods of beheading and what not to do. LOL. What a riot.
Did you know some headsmen had to take several swings to actually sever the darned thing? Man, we’d never graduate with a record like that!
For the last session we worked on sharpening techniques and how to clean our tools after a hard days lopping.
Tomrrow we’re going to start practicing on small things like broom handles and work our way up to 2" thick oak by the end of the week. The thing is, it’s not enough to be able to chop “through” the object. You have to be able to hit it in the right spot. I mean, honestly, how would it look to spectators if you hit between the shoulder blades??
If we pass the “dull blade and blood” test we’ll get to wear black hoods and move on to the final stretch where we can proudly call ourselves “Headsmen”.
Of course there are job placement services available but that’s not until the end of the class.
Sounds like you are headed in the right direction in this course. Thanks for the heads up…ah off! I guess you have an axe to grind this morning, before you head to class?
I heard that the headsman use to be tipped by their… …um… …beheadee? Anyways one king that knew that his time was coming, tipped very well. Well, the headsman was a liker of the ale and was so drunk by the time of the act that it took him several tries. Best to have some one else hold onto the tip and tell them what they have to lose.
Hope you have a horse, heard that people are afraid of horseless headsmen.
I sure hope that before you actually get to “practice” your new profession, the instructors teach you the proper tool to use based on the soon to be departed’s station in life. Imagine the embarrassment of using…say an ax on nobility? A faux pas like that could ruin you before you ever build up a decent clientele.
But, cowtime, the sword or axe were reserved for the highborn. The indignity of hanging was for the rest of us. The headsman’s tender mercies spared Lord Twaddleworth being the object of commentary while he danced at the end of a rope.
Gee, I know I’ve read somewhere that folks like kings or queens were only beheaded with swords. That perk was based on the fact that the sword was more likely to make it through in one swipe while the ax could be a bit more messy.
You’re probably right about kings and queens; maybe folks like dukes and viscounts were more likely to get the axe if not the sword. Being aristocracy, they normally wouldn’t be hanged. Perhaps our resident headsman-in-training can cut through to the matter? (sorry for the grisly pun)
Wow. Look at the miniature but perfectly proportioned person standing on that guy’s shoulders! And such a neat affair. Charles must have taken some megadoses of Vitamin K prior to his end just to keep the gore factor down. Just think how messy those frilly white ruffles and silk stockings could have ended up!
