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    Halshuggen på grund av mord. I fyllan stack han kniven i grannens mage på grund av tvist om en fordran. leon.amaroq.se/genealogi/alla/p3f2ca927.html Åke Norgren”skall han Lars Pålsson för det av honom ...
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Deliberate Beheadings

Please add Geni profiles of those who died by being beheaded. It might help to make sub sections to index profiles, as we've done for England.

  • (Accidental decapitations are in the project Decapitations, Accidental found under the "Accidental, Unusual death" headings)

Translations more than welcome.

Note: The "English Beheadings" project has been consolidated into this one.

Decapitation or beheading, is the removal of the head from a living body, inevitably causing death. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, such as a means of murder or execution. It may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, or knife, or by means of a guillotine. Beheading has been used as the standard method of capital punishment in many cultures around the world throughout history. For some, it was considered the honorable way to die, and reserved for the nobility; for others, the mutilation of the body was considered disrespectful and was used as a most severe punishment.

Execution by beheading (decapitation)

Historical background

From Capital Punishment

Beheading with a sword or axe goes back a very long way in history, because like hanging, it was a cheap and practical method of execution in early times when a sword or an axe was always readily available.

The Greeks and the Romans considered beheading a less dishonourable and less painful form of execution than other methods in use at the time. The Roman Empire used beheading for its own citizens whilst crucifying others.

Beheading was widely used in Europe and Asia until the 20th century, but now is confined to Saudi Arabia, and Iran. One man was reportedly beheaded in Iran in 2003 – the first for many years. It remains a lawful method in Qatar and Yemen, although no executions by this method have been reported.

Beheading continued in Britain up to 1747 and was the standard method in Norway (abolished 1905), Sweden (up to 1903) and Denmark (last in 1892) and was used for some classes of prisoners in France (up until the introduction of the guillotine in 1792) and in Germany up to 1938.  All the European countries that previously used beheading have now totally abolished the death penalty.

China also used it widely, until the communists came to power and replaced it with shooting in the 20th century.*

Japan too used beheading up to the end of the 19th century prior to turning to hanging.

Wikipedia - List of people who were beheaded

  • These individuals may have lost their heads either accidentally or intentionally (as a form of execution or posthumously).
  • See listings for the following: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Byzantine Empire, Canada, China, Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, England (see below), European New World Colonies (British North America, Panama, Haiti, Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia, Peru); Finland, France (Ancien Regime, French Revolution, French First Republic, Restoration French Republic); Georgia, Germany (Pre-20th century, Weimar Republic, Nazi Germany, Modern Germany); Great Britain, Hungary, India, Iraq (Ancient Mesopotamia, Caliphate, Modern); Ireland, Italy (Ancient Rome, Medieval Italy, Later Italy); Japan (Home Islands, Japanese-occupied territories (20th century), Modern Japan); Korea, Netherlands/Belgium, Ottoman Empire, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Syria, Switzerland, United States, Vietnam, Wales, Religious figures (Hebrew Bible, Other Biblical figures, Catholic saints, greek mythology, Sikh, Hindu); Fictional characters

England

  • Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria (1076) – Executed at Winchester by order of William I for taking part in the Revolt of the Earls
  • Sir William Wallace (1305) – famous Scottish resistance fighter, hanged, drawn and quartered by order of Edward I
  • Piers Gaveston (1312) – Executed near Warwick by Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster in the Baron's Revolt
  • Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster – Lord High Steward (1322) – Executed at Pontefract by Edward II of England
  • Edmund FitzAlan, 9th Earl of Arundel (1326) – Executed at Hereford by Queen Isabella, Regent for Edward III
  • Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent – Lord Wardens of the Cinque Ports (1330) – Executed at Winchester by Queen Isabella, Regent for Edward III
  • Sir Robert Hales – Lord High Treasurer (1381) – Executed at Tower Hill by rebels during the Peasants' Revolt
  • Simon of Sudbury – Lord Chancellor, Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of London (1381) – Executed at Tower Hill by rebels during the Peasants' Revolt
  • Richard Lyons – London Merchant and Financier (1381) – Beheaded in London by rebels during the Peasants' Revolt
  • Sir John Cavendish – Chief Justice of the King's Bench, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge (1381) – Executed in Bury St Edmunds by rebels during the Peasants' Revolt
  • Wat Tyler (1381) – Beheaded in London by order of the Lord Mayor of London during the Peasants' Revolt
  • Sir Simon de Burley, KG (1388) – Executed on Tower Hill by the Merciless Parliament for supporting Richard II of England[2]
  • Sir John de Beauchamp (1388) – Executed on Tower Hill by the Merciless Parliament for supporting Richard II of England[2]
  • Sir James Berners (1388) – Executed on Tower Hill by the Merciless Parliament for supporting Richard II of England[2]
  • Richard FitzAlan, 11th Earl of Arundel, KG (1397) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Richard II of England[2]
  • William le Scrope, 1st Earl of Wiltshire, Sir John Bussy and Sir Henry Green (1399) Executed in Bristol Castle by the Duke of Hereford (soon to be Henry IV of England)
  • Ralph de Lumley, 1st Baron Lumley (1400) – Executed at Cirencester during reign of Henry IV for the Epiphany Rising
  • Thomas le Despenser, 4th Baron le Despencer (1400) – Executed at Bristol by order of Henry IV for the Epiphany Rising
  • John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter, KG – Lord Great Chamberlain and Justice of Chester (1400) – Executed at Pleshey Castle, Essex by order of Joan Fitzalan, Countess of Hereford, with the approval of her son-in-law Henry IV, for the Epiphany Rising
  • John Montacute, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, KG (1400) – Executed at Cirencester during reign of Henry IV for the Epiphany Rising
  • Thomas Holland, 1st Duke of Surrey, KG – Earl Marshal (1400) – Executed at Cirencester during reign of Henry IV for the Epiphany Rising
  • Sir Benard Brocas (1400) – Beheaded at Tyburn during reign of Henry IV for the Epiphany Rising
  • Thomas Percy, 1st Earl of Worcester (1403) – Executed by order of Henry IV (Hanged, drawn and quartered)
  • Sir Richard Vernon (1403) – Executed by order of Henry IV (Hung, drawn and quartered)
  • Sir Richard Venables (1403) – Executed by order of Henry IV (Hung, drawn and quartered)
  • Thomas de Mowbray, 4th Earl of Norfolk – Earl Marshal (1405) – Executed at York by order of Henry IV for treason [3]
  • Richard le Scrope Archbishop of York (1405) – Executed at York by order of Henry IV for treason [4]
  • Sir William de Plumpton (1405) – Executed by order of Henry IV for treason
  • Richard of Conisburgh, 3rd Earl of Cambridge (1415) – Executed at Southampton by order of Henry V of England for his involvement in the Southampton Plot
  • Henry Scrope, 3rd Baron Scrope of Masham, KG (1415) – Executed at Southampton by order of Henry V of England for his involvement in the Southampton Plot
  • William de la Pole (1450) – Beheaded at sea, possibly by order of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York
  • James Fiennes, 1st Baron Saye and Sele (1450) – Beheaded in London by rebels led by Jack Cade
  • James Touchet, 5th Baron Audley (1459) – Executed after Battle of Blore Heath for being a Lancastrian
  • Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury, KG, PC – Lord Chancellor (1460) – Executed after the Battle of Wakefield for being a Yorkist
  • Edmund, Earl of Rutland (1460) – Executed by order of Lord Clifford for being a Yorkist (stabbed to death during the Battle of Wakefield and later decapitated)
  • Thomas Thorpe, speaker (1461) – Beheaded by a London mob
  • Thomas Courtenay, 14th Earl of Devon (1461) – Executed after the Battle of Towton for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Owen Tudor (1461) – Executed after the Battle of Towton for being a Lancastrian
  • James Butler, 5th Earl of Ormond – 1st Earl of Wiltshire (1461) – Executed after the Battle of Towton for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Thomas Kyriell (1461) – Executed by order of Margaret of Anjou after the Second Battle of St Albans for being a Yorkist
  • William Bonville, 1st Baron Bonville (1461) – Executed by order of Margaret of Anjou after the Second Battle of St Albans for being a Yorkist
  • John de Vere, 12th Earl of Oxford (1462) – Executed by order of John Tiptoft, 1st Earl of Worcester
  • Lord Aubrey de Vere (1462) – Son of John de Vere, 12th Earl of Oxford (1462) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of John Tiptoft, 1st Earl of Worcester[2]
  • Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset (1464) – Beheaded after the Battle of Hexham for being a Lancastrian
  • Robert Hungerford, 3rd Baron Hungerford (1464) – Beheaded at Newcastle after the Battle of Hexham for being a Lancastrian
  • Thomas de Ros, 9th Baron de Ros (1464) – Beheaded at Newcastle after the Battle of Hexham for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Philip Wentworth (1464) – Beheaded at Middleham after the Battle of Hexham for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir William Tailboys (1464) – Executed after Battle of Hexham for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Humphrey Neville (1469) – Executed at York by order of Edward IV for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Charles Neville (1469) – Brother of above – Executed at York by order of Edward IV for being a Lancastrian
  • Richard Woodville, 1st Earl Rivers – Lord High Treasurer and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (1469) – Executed by order of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick for being a Yorkist
  • Sir John Woodville (1469) – Son of above – Executed by order of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick for being a Yorkist
  • Sir Henry Courtenay (1469) – Executed for treason at Salisbury for being a Lancastrian, brother of Sir Hugh Courtenay and the 14th and 15th Earls of Devon who were all executed for being Lancastrians
  • William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1468 creation) (1469) – Executed after Battle of Edgecote Moor for being a Yorkist
  • Sir Richard Herbert (1469) – Executed after Battle of Edgecote Moor for being a Yorkist, also illegitimate son of the above
  • Humphrey Stafford, 1st Earl of Devon (1469) – Captured and executed in Bridgewater for being a Yorkist
  • Richard Welles, 7th Baron Welles (1470) – Executed on battlefield of Losecote by order of Edward IV for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Thomas Dymoke (1470) – Executed on battlefield of Losecote by order of Edward IV for being a Lancastrian
  • Robert Welles, 8th Baron Willoughby de Eresby (1470) – Son of Richard Welles Executed after Battle of Losecoat by order of Edward IV for being a Lancastrian
  • John Tiptoft, 1st Earl of Worcester – Lord High Treasurer (1470) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VI for being a Yorkist[2]
  • Edmund Beaufort, 4th Duke of Somerset (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian
  • John Courtenay, 15th Earl of Devon (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Hugh Courtenay (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Gervase Clifton (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian
  • John Delves (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian[5] (The eldest son of Sir John Delves, who was killed in the battle.)
  • Sir Thomas Tresham – MP for Buckinghamshire, Huntingdonshire and Northamptonshire, High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, High Sheriff of Sussex, High Sheriff of Surrey, Comptroller of the Household, Speaker of the House of Commons (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir John Langstrother – Grand Prior of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Thomas Neville, the Bastard of Fauconberg (1471) – Executed at Middleham Castle or Southampton by order of Edward IV for being a Lancastrian[6]
  • Sir Thomas Vaughan (1483) – Executed by order of Richard III even though he was a Yorkist
  • William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings (1483) – Executed near Tower Chapel by order of Richard III for being a Lancastrian [2]
  • Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham – Lord High Constable (1483) – Beheaded at Shrewsbury by order of Richard III for being too close to the crown and also for being a Lancastrian
  • Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers – Chief Butler of England (1483) – Executed at Pontefract castle by order of Richard III for being a Lancastrian and uncle of the below
  • Sir Richard Grey (1483) – Executed at Pontefract Castle by order of Richard III for being a Lancastrian and nephew of the above
  • Sir Thomas St Leger (1483) – Beheaded at Exeter for rebellion against his brother-in-law Richard III
  • William Catesby (1485) – Beheaded at Leicester by order of Henry VII of England after the Battle of Bosworth for being a Yorkist
  • Sir William Stanley (1495) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VII of England for supporting the pretender Perkin Warbeck [2]
  • James Tuchet, 7th Baron Audley (1497) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VII of England for opposing taxation[2]
  • Edward Plantagenet, 17th Earl of Warwick – Heir to the English Throne from 9 April 1484 – March 1485 (1499) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VII of England[2]
  • Sir James Tyrrell (1502) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VII of England for treason [2]
  • Sir John Wyndham (1502) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VII of England for treason [2]
  • Sir Edmund Dudley – Speaker of the House of Commons (1510) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for extortion [2]
  • Sir Richard Empson – Speaker of the House of Commons, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1510) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for extortion [2]
  • Sir Andrew Barton – High Admiral of Scotland (1511) – executed on capture as a pirate, according to ballads.
  • Edmund de la Pole, 3rd Duke of Suffolk (1513) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England as Yorkist claimant to throne[2]
  • Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, KG – Lord High Steward and Lord High Constable (1521) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England as claimant to throne [2]
  • Sir Rhys ap Gruffydd (1531) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for conspiracy with Scotland [2]
  • Saint John Fisher – Catholic Bishop of Rochester (1535) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for refusing to take Oath of Supremacy [2]
  • Saint Sir Thomas More – Lord Chancellor, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Speaker of the House of Commons (1535) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for refusing to take Oath of Supremacy[2]
  • Anne Boleyn – Queen of England and Henry's Wife (1536) – Executed by sword at the Tower of London by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • George Boleyn, Viscount Rochford (1536) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • Sir Henry Norris – Groom of the Stool (1536) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • Sir William Brereton, KB – Groom of the Privy Chamber (1536) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • Sir Francis Weston – Gentleman of the Privy Chamber (1536) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • Mark Smeaton (1536) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • Thomas Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy de Darcy, KG (1537) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for being in the Pilgrimage of Grace[2]
  • John Hussey, 1st Baron Hussey of Sleaford – Chief Butler of England (1537) – Executed at Lincoln by order of Henry VIII of England for being in the Pilgrimage of Grace
  • Sir Francis Bigod (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being the leader of Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir John Constable (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in the Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir William Constable (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir John Bigod (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir Thomas Percy (1537) – Executed at Tyburn by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir Henry Percy,[7] (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir Stephan Hamilton (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir Nicholas Tempast (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir William Lumley (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir Edward Neville (1538) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion[2]
  • Henry Pole, 11th Baron Montacute (1539) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Exeter Conspiracy[2]
  • Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter, KG, PC, Lord Warden of the Stannaries (1539) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Exeter Conspiracy [2]
  • Sir Nicholas Carew, KG, PC – Master of the Horse (1539) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Exeter Conspiracy [2]
  • Sir Thomas Dingley (1539) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for being implicated in the Pilgrimage of Grace[2]
  • Blessed Sir Adrian Fortescue (1539) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for Catholicism [2]
  • Richard Whiting, Abbot of Glastonbury (1539) – Executed on Glastonbury Tor by order of Thomas Cromwell (hung, drawn and quartered)
  • Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
  • Raleigh just before being beheaded – an illustration from c. 1860
  • This contemporary German print depicts Charles I's decapitation in 1649.
  • Execution of James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth by Jack Ketch on Tower Hill, 15 July 1685 (O.S), in a popular print.
  • Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex, KG, PC – Secretary of State, Master of the Rolls, Lord Privy Seal, Governor of the Isle of Wight, Justice in Eyre, Lord Great Chamberlain (1540) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for treason [2]
  • Walter Hungerford, 1st Baron Hungerford of Heytesbury (1540) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for high treason and buggery[8]
  • Leonard Grey, 1st Viscount Grane – Lord Deputy of Ireland (1541) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason after allowing the escape of his nephew Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare[2]
  • Margaret Pole, 8th Countess of Salisbury (1541) – Executed at Tower Green by order of Henry VIII of England for high treason[2]
  • Catherine Howard – Queen of England and Henry's Wife (1542) – Executed at Tower Green by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • Sir Thomas Culpepper (1541) – Executed at Tyburn by order of Henry VIII for high treason (adultery with the queen)
  • Jane Boleyn, Viscountess Rochford – Wife of executed George Boleyn, Viscount Rochford and sister-in-law of Anne Boleyn (1542) – Executed at Tower Green by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason [2]
  • Sir John Neville of Chevet (1546) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England
  • Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, KG – Earl Marshal (1547) – Executed at Tower Hill during the reign of Henry VIII of England for treason [2]
  • Thomas Seymour, 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley – Master-General of the Ordnance, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Lord High Admiral, also was the husband of Henry VIII sixth wife and widow Catherine Parr and the brother of Henry's third wife Jane Seymour (1549) – Beheaded for treason at Tower Hill during the reign of Edward VI of England [2]
  • Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, KG, PC, Earl Marshal, Lord High Treasurer, Lord High Admiral, Lord Protector of England in the period between the death of Henry VIII in 1547 and his own indictment in 1549 (1552) – Executed at Tower Hill during the reign of Edward VI of England for plotting murder of John Dudley[2]
  • Sir Thomas Arundell of Lanherne – Gentleman of the Privy Chamber (1552) – Beheaded at Tower Hill during the reign of Edward VI of England for treason [2][9]
  • Sir Michael Stanhope – Chief Gentleman of the Privy Chamber (1552) – Beheaded at Tower Hill during the reign of Edward VI of England for treason [9]
  • John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, KG – Vice-Admiral, Lord Admiral, Governor of Boulogne, President of the Council in the Marches, Lord Great Chamberlain, Grand Master of the Royal Household, Earl Marshal of England, Lord President of the Council, Warden General of the Scottish Marches (1553) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Mary I for supporting Lady Jane Grey [2]
  • Sir John Gates KB (1553) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Mary I for supporting Lady Jane Grey [10]
  • Sir Thomas Palmer (1553) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Mary I for supporting Lady Jane Grey [2]
  • Lady Jane Grey – Queen of England 10–19 July 1553 and Heir to the English and Irish Thrones 21 June – 10 July 1553 (1554) – Executed at Tower Green by Mary I as claimant to throne [2]
  • Lord Guilford Dudley – Son of John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland and Royal Consort of England 10–19 July 1553 (1554) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Mary I for supporting Lady Jane Grey [2]
  • Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk, KG – Father of the above, Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Justice in Eyre (1554) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Mary I for rebellion [2]
  • Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger (1554) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Mary I for rebellion [2]
  • Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, KG – Earl Marshal (1573) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Elizabeth I of England for Ridolfi plot[2]
  • Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland (1572) – Executed at York during the reign of Elizabeth I of England for taking part in the Rising of the North
  • Sir Thomas Doughty (1578) – Executed by order of Sir Francis Drake
  • Edward Arden (1583) – Executed at Tyburn during the reign of Elizabeth I of England for high treason (hanged, drawn and quartered)
  • Sir Francis Throckmorton (1584) – Executed during the reign of Elizabeth I of England
  • Mary, Queen of Scots – Queen of Scots and Queen consort of France (1587) – Executed during the reign of Elizabeth I of England
  • Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, KG – Master of the Horse, Earl Marshal, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Custos Rotulorum of Pembrokeshire, Custos Rotulorum of Staffordshire, Master-General of the Ordnance (1601) – Executed at Tower Hill during the reign of Elizabeth I of England for High Treason[2]
  • Sir Christopher Blount (1601) – Executed at Tower Hill during the reign of Elizabeth I of England for High Treason[2]
  • Sir Charles Danvers (1601) – Executed at Tower Hill during the reign of Elizabeth I of England for High Treason[11]
  • Sir Walter Raleigh – Lord Warden of the Stannaries, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Vice-Admiral of Devon, Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard, Governor of Jersey (1618) – Executed in the Old Palace Yard, Westminster by orders of James VI
  • Mervyn Touchet, 2nd Earl of Castlehaven – Executed at Tower Hill for aiding buggery (1631)[2]
  • Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, KG – Custos Rotulorum of the West Riding of Yorkshire, Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire, Lord Deputy of Ireland, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1641) – Executed at Tower Hill on orders of Parliament[2]
  • Archbishop William Laud – Archbishop of Canterbury (1645) – Executed at Tower Hill on orders of Parliament [2]
  • Sir John Hotham the Younger (2 January 1645) – Executed at Tower Hill on orders of Parliament for betraying the parliamentarians to the Royalists [2]
  • Sir John Hotham, 1st Baronet the Elder, of Scarborough (died 3 January 1645) – Father of above – Executed for betraying the parliamentarians to the Royalists [2]
  • Charles I of England and Scotland (1649) – Executed in Whitehall, London by order of Cromwell's Parliament
  • James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton, KG – Master of the Horse, Lord Chancellor of Scotland (1649) – Executed by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist
  • Arthur Capell, 1st Baron Capell of Hadham (1649) – Executed by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist
  • Henry Rich, 1st Earl of Holland, KG – Master of the Horse, Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard, Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex, Justice in Eyre (1649) – Executed in London by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist
  • Sir Henry Hyde (1650) – Beheaded in London by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist
  • Eusebius Andrews (1650) - Beheaded on Tower Hill for treason as a Royalist.
  • James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby, KG – Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, Lancashire, Vice-Admiral of Cheshire (1651) – Executed at Bolton by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist
  • Sir John Penruddock (1619–1655) – Executed at Exeter by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist
  • Sir Henry Slingsby, 1st Baronet (1658) – Beheaded on Tower Hill, London by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist [2]
  • Reverend Dr. John Huett (1658) – Beheaded on Tower Hill, London by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist [2]
  • Gregory Clement (1660) (MP) - Hanged, drawn and quartered at Charing Cross by Charles II as a regicide [12]
  • Oliver Cromwell (1661) – Posthumously beheaded by order of Charles II
  • Sir Henry Vane the Younger (1662) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Charles II for the death of his father Charles I [2]
  • John Twyn (1663) – Hanged, drawn, quartered and beheaded (and head displayed on a Ludgate spike) for publishing an anonymous pamphlet justifying the right of rebellion against the king
  • William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford (1680) – Executed at Tower Hill for treason [2]
  • William Russell, Lord Russell – Member of Parliament for Tavistock and Tavistock (1683) – Executed for being involved with the Rye House Plot
  • Algernon Sidney (1683) – Executed at Tower Hill for being involved with the Rye House Plot[2]
  • Sir Thomas Armstrong – Member of Parliament for Stafford (1684) – Executed by order of Judge Jeffreys for supporting Monmouth
  • James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth (1685) – Executed at Tower Hill in reign of James II after the Battle of Sedgemoor for treason[2]
  • Lady Alice Lisle (1685) – Executed at Winchester by Judge Jeffreys during the Bloody Assizes for harbouring Monmouth rebels
  • Sir John Fenwick (1697) – Jacobite Rebel executed at Tower Hill in reign of William III for treason [2]

France

From The Ultimate History Project: Executions, the Guiliontine, and the French Revolution by Michael Lynn.

With the guillotine, death could now be nearly instantaneous, with considerably less pomp and circumstance. Executions by guillotine were certainly well attended, but they lacked some of the extended spectacle of earlier execution rituals. Now the executioner simply pulled a cord, the blade fell, and it was all over except, perhaps, for a display of the head to the crowd.

However, what the guillotine lacked in overall drama it certainly made up for in volume. During the period of the French Revolution, and especially during the Terror (1793-1794) when the state enacted martial law, use of the guillotine skyrocketed. Led by Maximillian Robespierre, the Committee on Public Safety enacted a series of decrees that established a system of Terror, enforced by the state, in an effort to root out counter-revolutionaries and save the new Republic from itself.

Under this system, at least 40,000 people were killed. As many as 300,000 Frenchmen and women (1 in 50 Frenchmen and women) were arrested during a ten month period between September 1793 and July 1794. Included in these numbers were, of course, the deaths of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Although all social classes and professions were targeted, the death toll was especially high for both clergy and aristocrats. The numbers of those killed and taken into custody were probably even higher as the documented numbers don’t include people killed by vigilantes and other self-proclaimed representatives of the Republic.

Resources: Wikipedia - Category: People executed by guillotine during the French Revolution

Further Reading:

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Deliberate Beheadings

Please add Geni profiles of those who died by being beheaded. It might help to make sub sections to index profiles, as we've done for England.

  • (Accidental decapitations are in the project Decapitations, Accidental found under the "Accidental, Unusual death" headings)

Translations more than welcome.

Note: The "English Beheadings" project has been consolidated into this one.

Decapitation or beheading, is the removal of the head from a living body, inevitably causing death. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, such as a means of murder or execution. It may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, or knife, or by means of a guillotine. Beheading has been used as the standard method of capital punishment in many cultures around the world throughout history. For some, it was considered the honorable way to die, and reserved for the nobility; for others, the mutilation of the body was considered disrespectful and was used as a most severe punishment.

Execution by beheading (decapitation)

Historical background

From Capital Punishment

Beheading with a sword or axe goes back a very long way in history, because like hanging, it was a cheap and practical method of execution in early times when a sword or an axe was always readily available.

The Greeks and the Romans considered beheading a less dishonourable and less painful form of execution than other methods in use at the time. The Roman Empire used beheading for its own citizens whilst crucifying others.

Beheading was widely used in Europe and Asia until the 20th century, but now is confined to Saudi Arabia, and Iran. One man was reportedly beheaded in Iran in 2003 – the first for many years. It remains a lawful method in Qatar and Yemen, although no executions by this method have been reported.

Beheading continued in Britain up to 1747 and was the standard method in Norway (abolished 1905), Sweden (up to 1903) and Denmark (last in 1892) and was used for some classes of prisoners in France (up until the introduction of the guillotine in 1792) and in Germany up to 1938.  All the European countries that previously used beheading have now totally abolished the death penalty.

China also used it widely, until the communists came to power and replaced it with shooting in the 20th century.*

Japan too used beheading up to the end of the 19th century prior to turning to hanging.

Wikipedia - List of people who were beheaded

  • These individuals may have lost their heads either accidentally or intentionally (as a form of execution or posthumously).
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England

  • Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria (1076) – Executed at Winchester by order of William I for taking part in the Revolt of the Earls
  • Sir William Wallace (1305) – famous Scottish resistance fighter, hanged, drawn and quartered by order of Edward I
  • Piers Gaveston (1312) – Executed near Warwick by Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster in the Baron's Revolt
  • Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster – Lord High Steward (1322) – Executed at Pontefract by Edward II of England
  • Edmund FitzAlan, 9th Earl of Arundel (1326) – Executed at Hereford by Queen Isabella, Regent for Edward III
  • Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent – Lord Wardens of the Cinque Ports (1330) – Executed at Winchester by Queen Isabella, Regent for Edward III
  • Sir Robert Hales – Lord High Treasurer (1381) – Executed at Tower Hill by rebels during the Peasants' Revolt
  • Simon of Sudbury – Lord Chancellor, Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of London (1381) – Executed at Tower Hill by rebels during the Peasants' Revolt
  • Richard Lyons – London Merchant and Financier (1381) – Beheaded in London by rebels during the Peasants' Revolt
  • Sir John Cavendish – Chief Justice of the King's Bench, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge (1381) – Executed in Bury St Edmunds by rebels during the Peasants' Revolt
  • Wat Tyler (1381) – Beheaded in London by order of the Lord Mayor of London during the Peasants' Revolt
  • Sir Simon de Burley, KG (1388) – Executed on Tower Hill by the Merciless Parliament for supporting Richard II of England[2]
  • Sir John de Beauchamp (1388) – Executed on Tower Hill by the Merciless Parliament for supporting Richard II of England[2]
  • Sir James Berners (1388) – Executed on Tower Hill by the Merciless Parliament for supporting Richard II of England[2]
  • Richard FitzAlan, 11th Earl of Arundel, KG (1397) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Richard II of England[2]
  • William le Scrope, 1st Earl of Wiltshire, Sir John Bussy and Sir Henry Green (1399) Executed in Bristol Castle by the Duke of Hereford (soon to be Henry IV of England)
  • Ralph de Lumley, 1st Baron Lumley (1400) – Executed at Cirencester during reign of Henry IV for the Epiphany Rising
  • Thomas le Despenser, 4th Baron le Despencer (1400) – Executed at Bristol by order of Henry IV for the Epiphany Rising
  • John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter, KG – Lord Great Chamberlain and Justice of Chester (1400) – Executed at Pleshey Castle, Essex by order of Joan Fitzalan, Countess of Hereford, with the approval of her son-in-law Henry IV, for the Epiphany Rising
  • John Montacute, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, KG (1400) – Executed at Cirencester during reign of Henry IV for the Epiphany Rising
  • Thomas Holland, 1st Duke of Surrey, KG – Earl Marshal (1400) – Executed at Cirencester during reign of Henry IV for the Epiphany Rising
  • Sir Benard Brocas (1400) – Beheaded at Tyburn during reign of Henry IV for the Epiphany Rising
  • Thomas Percy, 1st Earl of Worcester (1403) – Executed by order of Henry IV (Hanged, drawn and quartered)
  • Sir Richard Vernon (1403) – Executed by order of Henry IV (Hung, drawn and quartered)
  • Sir Richard Venables (1403) – Executed by order of Henry IV (Hung, drawn and quartered)
  • Thomas de Mowbray, 4th Earl of Norfolk – Earl Marshal (1405) – Executed at York by order of Henry IV for treason [3]
  • Richard le Scrope Archbishop of York (1405) – Executed at York by order of Henry IV for treason [4]
  • Sir William de Plumpton (1405) – Executed by order of Henry IV for treason
  • Richard of Conisburgh, 3rd Earl of Cambridge (1415) – Executed at Southampton by order of Henry V of England for his involvement in the Southampton Plot
  • Henry Scrope, 3rd Baron Scrope of Masham, KG (1415) – Executed at Southampton by order of Henry V of England for his involvement in the Southampton Plot
  • William de la Pole (1450) – Beheaded at sea, possibly by order of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York
  • James Fiennes, 1st Baron Saye and Sele (1450) – Beheaded in London by rebels led by Jack Cade
  • James Touchet, 5th Baron Audley (1459) – Executed after Battle of Blore Heath for being a Lancastrian
  • Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury, KG, PC – Lord Chancellor (1460) – Executed after the Battle of Wakefield for being a Yorkist
  • Edmund, Earl of Rutland (1460) – Executed by order of Lord Clifford for being a Yorkist (stabbed to death during the Battle of Wakefield and later decapitated)
  • Thomas Thorpe, speaker (1461) – Beheaded by a London mob
  • Thomas Courtenay, 14th Earl of Devon (1461) – Executed after the Battle of Towton for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Owen Tudor (1461) – Executed after the Battle of Towton for being a Lancastrian
  • James Butler, 5th Earl of Ormond – 1st Earl of Wiltshire (1461) – Executed after the Battle of Towton for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Thomas Kyriell (1461) – Executed by order of Margaret of Anjou after the Second Battle of St Albans for being a Yorkist
  • William Bonville, 1st Baron Bonville (1461) – Executed by order of Margaret of Anjou after the Second Battle of St Albans for being a Yorkist
  • John de Vere, 12th Earl of Oxford (1462) – Executed by order of John Tiptoft, 1st Earl of Worcester
  • Lord Aubrey de Vere (1462) – Son of John de Vere, 12th Earl of Oxford (1462) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of John Tiptoft, 1st Earl of Worcester[2]
  • Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset (1464) – Beheaded after the Battle of Hexham for being a Lancastrian
  • Robert Hungerford, 3rd Baron Hungerford (1464) – Beheaded at Newcastle after the Battle of Hexham for being a Lancastrian
  • Thomas de Ros, 9th Baron de Ros (1464) – Beheaded at Newcastle after the Battle of Hexham for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Philip Wentworth (1464) – Beheaded at Middleham after the Battle of Hexham for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir William Tailboys (1464) – Executed after Battle of Hexham for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Humphrey Neville (1469) – Executed at York by order of Edward IV for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Charles Neville (1469) – Brother of above – Executed at York by order of Edward IV for being a Lancastrian
  • Richard Woodville, 1st Earl Rivers – Lord High Treasurer and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (1469) – Executed by order of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick for being a Yorkist
  • Sir John Woodville (1469) – Son of above – Executed by order of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick for being a Yorkist
  • Sir Henry Courtenay (1469) – Executed for treason at Salisbury for being a Lancastrian, brother of Sir Hugh Courtenay and the 14th and 15th Earls of Devon who were all executed for being Lancastrians
  • William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1468 creation) (1469) – Executed after Battle of Edgecote Moor for being a Yorkist
  • Sir Richard Herbert (1469) – Executed after Battle of Edgecote Moor for being a Yorkist, also illegitimate son of the above
  • Humphrey Stafford, 1st Earl of Devon (1469) – Captured and executed in Bridgewater for being a Yorkist
  • Richard Welles, 7th Baron Welles (1470) – Executed on battlefield of Losecote by order of Edward IV for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Thomas Dymoke (1470) – Executed on battlefield of Losecote by order of Edward IV for being a Lancastrian
  • Robert Welles, 8th Baron Willoughby de Eresby (1470) – Son of Richard Welles Executed after Battle of Losecoat by order of Edward IV for being a Lancastrian
  • John Tiptoft, 1st Earl of Worcester – Lord High Treasurer (1470) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VI for being a Yorkist[2]
  • Edmund Beaufort, 4th Duke of Somerset (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian
  • John Courtenay, 15th Earl of Devon (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Hugh Courtenay (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Gervase Clifton (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian
  • John Delves (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian[5] (The eldest son of Sir John Delves, who was killed in the battle.)
  • Sir Thomas Tresham – MP for Buckinghamshire, Huntingdonshire and Northamptonshire, High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, High Sheriff of Sussex, High Sheriff of Surrey, Comptroller of the Household, Speaker of the House of Commons (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir John Langstrother – Grand Prior of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem (1471) – Beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury for being a Lancastrian
  • Sir Thomas Neville, the Bastard of Fauconberg (1471) – Executed at Middleham Castle or Southampton by order of Edward IV for being a Lancastrian[6]
  • Sir Thomas Vaughan (1483) – Executed by order of Richard III even though he was a Yorkist
  • William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings (1483) – Executed near Tower Chapel by order of Richard III for being a Lancastrian [2]
  • Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham – Lord High Constable (1483) – Beheaded at Shrewsbury by order of Richard III for being too close to the crown and also for being a Lancastrian
  • Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers – Chief Butler of England (1483) – Executed at Pontefract castle by order of Richard III for being a Lancastrian and uncle of the below
  • Sir Richard Grey (1483) – Executed at Pontefract Castle by order of Richard III for being a Lancastrian and nephew of the above
  • Sir Thomas St Leger (1483) – Beheaded at Exeter for rebellion against his brother-in-law Richard III
  • William Catesby (1485) – Beheaded at Leicester by order of Henry VII of England after the Battle of Bosworth for being a Yorkist
  • Sir William Stanley (1495) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VII of England for supporting the pretender Perkin Warbeck [2]
  • James Tuchet, 7th Baron Audley (1497) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VII of England for opposing taxation[2]
  • Edward Plantagenet, 17th Earl of Warwick – Heir to the English Throne from 9 April 1484 – March 1485 (1499) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VII of England[2]
  • Sir James Tyrrell (1502) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VII of England for treason [2]
  • Sir John Wyndham (1502) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VII of England for treason [2]
  • Sir Edmund Dudley – Speaker of the House of Commons (1510) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for extortion [2]
  • Sir Richard Empson – Speaker of the House of Commons, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1510) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for extortion [2]
  • Sir Andrew Barton – High Admiral of Scotland (1511) – executed on capture as a pirate, according to ballads.
  • Edmund de la Pole, 3rd Duke of Suffolk (1513) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England as Yorkist claimant to throne[2]
  • Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, KG – Lord High Steward and Lord High Constable (1521) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England as claimant to throne [2]
  • Sir Rhys ap Gruffydd (1531) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for conspiracy with Scotland [2]
  • Saint John Fisher – Catholic Bishop of Rochester (1535) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for refusing to take Oath of Supremacy [2]
  • Saint Sir Thomas More – Lord Chancellor, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Speaker of the House of Commons (1535) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for refusing to take Oath of Supremacy[2]
  • Anne Boleyn – Queen of England and Henry's Wife (1536) – Executed by sword at the Tower of London by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • George Boleyn, Viscount Rochford (1536) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • Sir Henry Norris – Groom of the Stool (1536) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • Sir William Brereton, KB – Groom of the Privy Chamber (1536) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • Sir Francis Weston – Gentleman of the Privy Chamber (1536) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • Mark Smeaton (1536) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • Thomas Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy de Darcy, KG (1537) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for being in the Pilgrimage of Grace[2]
  • John Hussey, 1st Baron Hussey of Sleaford – Chief Butler of England (1537) – Executed at Lincoln by order of Henry VIII of England for being in the Pilgrimage of Grace
  • Sir Francis Bigod (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being the leader of Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir John Constable (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in the Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir William Constable (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir John Bigod (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir Thomas Percy (1537) – Executed at Tyburn by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir Henry Percy,[7] (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir Stephan Hamilton (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir Nicholas Tempast (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir William Lumley (1537) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion
  • Sir Edward Neville (1538) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Bigod's Rebellion[2]
  • Henry Pole, 11th Baron Montacute (1539) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Exeter Conspiracy[2]
  • Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter, KG, PC, Lord Warden of the Stannaries (1539) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Exeter Conspiracy [2]
  • Sir Nicholas Carew, KG, PC – Master of the Horse (1539) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for being in Exeter Conspiracy [2]
  • Sir Thomas Dingley (1539) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for being implicated in the Pilgrimage of Grace[2]
  • Blessed Sir Adrian Fortescue (1539) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England for Catholicism [2]
  • Richard Whiting, Abbot of Glastonbury (1539) – Executed on Glastonbury Tor by order of Thomas Cromwell (hung, drawn and quartered)
  • Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
  • Raleigh just before being beheaded – an illustration from c. 1860
  • This contemporary German print depicts Charles I's decapitation in 1649.
  • Execution of James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth by Jack Ketch on Tower Hill, 15 July 1685 (O.S), in a popular print.
  • Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex, KG, PC – Secretary of State, Master of the Rolls, Lord Privy Seal, Governor of the Isle of Wight, Justice in Eyre, Lord Great Chamberlain (1540) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for treason [2]
  • Walter Hungerford, 1st Baron Hungerford of Heytesbury (1540) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for high treason and buggery[8]
  • Leonard Grey, 1st Viscount Grane – Lord Deputy of Ireland (1541) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason after allowing the escape of his nephew Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare[2]
  • Margaret Pole, 8th Countess of Salisbury (1541) – Executed at Tower Green by order of Henry VIII of England for high treason[2]
  • Catherine Howard – Queen of England and Henry's Wife (1542) – Executed at Tower Green by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason[2]
  • Sir Thomas Culpepper (1541) – Executed at Tyburn by order of Henry VIII for high treason (adultery with the queen)
  • Jane Boleyn, Viscountess Rochford – Wife of executed George Boleyn, Viscount Rochford and sister-in-law of Anne Boleyn (1542) – Executed at Tower Green by order of Henry VIII of England for High Treason [2]
  • Sir John Neville of Chevet (1546) – Executed by order of Henry VIII of England
  • Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, KG – Earl Marshal (1547) – Executed at Tower Hill during the reign of Henry VIII of England for treason [2]
  • Thomas Seymour, 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley – Master-General of the Ordnance, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Lord High Admiral, also was the husband of Henry VIII sixth wife and widow Catherine Parr and the brother of Henry's third wife Jane Seymour (1549) – Beheaded for treason at Tower Hill during the reign of Edward VI of England [2]
  • Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, KG, PC, Earl Marshal, Lord High Treasurer, Lord High Admiral, Lord Protector of England in the period between the death of Henry VIII in 1547 and his own indictment in 1549 (1552) – Executed at Tower Hill during the reign of Edward VI of England for plotting murder of John Dudley[2]
  • Sir Thomas Arundell of Lanherne – Gentleman of the Privy Chamber (1552) – Beheaded at Tower Hill during the reign of Edward VI of England for treason [2][9]
  • Sir Michael Stanhope – Chief Gentleman of the Privy Chamber (1552) – Beheaded at Tower Hill during the reign of Edward VI of England for treason [9]
  • John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, KG – Vice-Admiral, Lord Admiral, Governor of Boulogne, President of the Council in the Marches, Lord Great Chamberlain, Grand Master of the Royal Household, Earl Marshal of England, Lord President of the Council, Warden General of the Scottish Marches (1553) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Mary I for supporting Lady Jane Grey [2]
  • Sir John Gates KB (1553) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Mary I for supporting Lady Jane Grey [10]
  • Sir Thomas Palmer (1553) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Mary I for supporting Lady Jane Grey [2]
  • Lady Jane Grey – Queen of England 10–19 July 1553 and Heir to the English and Irish Thrones 21 June – 10 July 1553 (1554) – Executed at Tower Green by Mary I as claimant to throne [2]
  • Lord Guilford Dudley – Son of John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland and Royal Consort of England 10–19 July 1553 (1554) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Mary I for supporting Lady Jane Grey [2]
  • Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk, KG – Father of the above, Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Justice in Eyre (1554) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Mary I for rebellion [2]
  • Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger (1554) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Mary I for rebellion [2]
  • Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, KG – Earl Marshal (1573) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Elizabeth I of England for Ridolfi plot[2]
  • Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland (1572) – Executed at York during the reign of Elizabeth I of England for taking part in the Rising of the North
  • Sir Thomas Doughty (1578) – Executed by order of Sir Francis Drake
  • Edward Arden (1583) – Executed at Tyburn during the reign of Elizabeth I of England for high treason (hanged, drawn and quartered)
  • Sir Francis Throckmorton (1584) – Executed during the reign of Elizabeth I of England
  • Mary, Queen of Scots – Queen of Scots and Queen consort of France (1587) – Executed during the reign of Elizabeth I of England
  • Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, KG – Master of the Horse, Earl Marshal, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Custos Rotulorum of Pembrokeshire, Custos Rotulorum of Staffordshire, Master-General of the Ordnance (1601) – Executed at Tower Hill during the reign of Elizabeth I of England for High Treason[2]
  • Sir Christopher Blount (1601) – Executed at Tower Hill during the reign of Elizabeth I of England for High Treason[2]
  • Sir Charles Danvers (1601) – Executed at Tower Hill during the reign of Elizabeth I of England for High Treason[11]
  • Sir Walter Raleigh – Lord Warden of the Stannaries, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Vice-Admiral of Devon, Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard, Governor of Jersey (1618) – Executed in the Old Palace Yard, Westminster by orders of James VI
  • Mervyn Touchet, 2nd Earl of Castlehaven – Executed at Tower Hill for aiding buggery (1631)[2]
  • Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, KG – Custos Rotulorum of the West Riding of Yorkshire, Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire, Lord Deputy of Ireland, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1641) – Executed at Tower Hill on orders of Parliament[2]
  • Archbishop William Laud – Archbishop of Canterbury (1645) – Executed at Tower Hill on orders of Parliament [2]
  • Sir John Hotham the Younger (2 January 1645) – Executed at Tower Hill on orders of Parliament for betraying the parliamentarians to the Royalists [2]
  • Sir John Hotham, 1st Baronet the Elder, of Scarborough (died 3 January 1645) – Father of above – Executed for betraying the parliamentarians to the Royalists [2]
  • Charles I of England and Scotland (1649) – Executed in Whitehall, London by order of Cromwell's Parliament
  • James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton, KG – Master of the Horse, Lord Chancellor of Scotland (1649) – Executed by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist
  • Arthur Capell, 1st Baron Capell of Hadham (1649) – Executed by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist
  • Henry Rich, 1st Earl of Holland, KG – Master of the Horse, Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard, Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex, Justice in Eyre (1649) – Executed in London by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist
  • Sir Henry Hyde (1650) – Beheaded in London by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist
  • Eusebius Andrews (1650) - Beheaded on Tower Hill for treason as a Royalist.
  • James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby, KG – Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, Lancashire, Vice-Admiral of Cheshire (1651) – Executed at Bolton by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist
  • Sir John Penruddock (1619–1655) – Executed at Exeter by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist
  • Sir Henry Slingsby, 1st Baronet (1658) – Beheaded on Tower Hill, London by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist [2]
  • Reverend Dr. John Huett (1658) – Beheaded on Tower Hill, London by order of Cromwell's Parliament for being a Royalist [2]
  • Gregory Clement (1660) (MP) - Hanged, drawn and quartered at Charing Cross by Charles II as a regicide [12]
  • Oliver Cromwell (1661) – Posthumously beheaded by order of Charles II
  • Sir Henry Vane the Younger (1662) – Executed at Tower Hill by order of Charles II for the death of his father Charles I [2]
  • John Twyn (1663) – Hanged, drawn, quartered and beheaded (and head displayed on a Ludgate spike) for publishing an anonymous pamphlet justifying the right of rebellion against the king
  • William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford (1680) – Executed at Tower Hill for treason [2]
  • William Russell, Lord Russell – Member of Parliament for Tavistock and Tavistock (1683) – Executed for being involved with the Rye House Plot
  • Algernon Sidney (1683) – Executed at Tower Hill for being involved with the Rye House Plot[2]
  • Sir Thomas Armstrong – Member of Parliament for Stafford (1684) – Executed by order of Judge Jeffreys for supporting Monmouth
  • James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth (1685) – Executed at Tower Hill in reign of James II after the Battle of Sedgemoor for treason[2]
  • Lady Alice Lisle (1685) – Executed at Winchester by Judge Jeffreys during the Bloody Assizes for harbouring Monmouth rebels
  • Sir John Fenwick (1697) – Jacobite Rebel executed at Tower Hill in reign of William III for treason [2]

France

From The Ultimate History Project: Executions, the Guiliontine, and the French Revolution by Michael Lynn.

With the guillotine, death could now be nearly instantaneous, with considerably less pomp and circumstance. Executions by guillotine were certainly well attended, but they lacked some of the extended spectacle of earlier execution rituals. Now the executioner simply pulled a cord, the blade fell, and it was all over except, perhaps, for a display of the head to the crowd.

However, what the guillotine lacked in overall drama it certainly made up for in volume. During the period of the French Revolution, and especially during the Terror (1793-1794) when the state enacted martial law, use of the guillotine skyrocketed. Led by Maximillian Robespierre, the Committee on Public Safety enacted a series of decrees that established a system of Terror, enforced by the state, in an effort to root out counter-revolutionaries and save the new Republic from itself.

Under this system, at least 40,000 people were killed. As many as 300,000 Frenchmen and women (1 in 50 Frenchmen and women) were arrested during a ten month period between September 1793 and July 1794. Included in these numbers were, of course, the deaths of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Although all social classes and professions were targeted, the death toll was especially high for both clergy and aristocrats. The numbers of those killed and taken into custody were probably even higher as the documented numbers don’t include people killed by vigilantes and other self-proclaimed representatives of the Republic.

Resources: Wikipedia - Category: People executed by guillotine during the French Revolution

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