Justice played an important role in the everyday life of medieval society and into the Early Modern era. Righteousness was held in high regard during these times, and criminals were often punished quite harshly in an effort to deter other perpetrators and steer them from the path of crime. Political enemies were punished too, as were traitors and heretics. And to do all this punishing and killing, an official executioner had to be employed. Throughout the medieval period and beyond, the executioners played a fundamental role in society and dispensed the King’s justice with deadly efficiency. Many, however, suffered from the social stigma that was brought with their employment, even though they gained riches and high ranks during their careers. Who were they? And what were their stories? Bedsheet Lovingly Embroidered With Hair Likely From A Severed Head Extraordinarily High Number of Roman Decapitations at UK Burial Site Read moreSection: NewsHistoryAncient TraditionsRead Later