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Execution by burning

(Redirected from Burned at the stake)

Execution by burning is the execution of individuals by fire. It has a long history as a method of punishment for "crimes" such as heresy, treason, and the practice of witchcraft. For a number of reasons, this method of execution fell into disfavor among governments. The particular form of execution by burning in which the condemned is bound to a large stake is more commonly called burning at the stake.

Cause of death

If the fire is large (for instance, when a large number of prisoners were executed at the same time) death often came from the carbon monoxide poisoning before flames actually caused harm to the body. However, if the fire is small, the convict burns for a few minutes in pain until death from heatstroke or loss of plasma. Typically, the executioner would arrange a pile of wood around the condemned's feet and calves, with supplementary small bundles of sticks and straw called faggots at strategic intervals up his/her body.

When applied with skillful cruelty, the victim's skin would burn progressively in the sequence: calves, thighs and hands, torso and forearms, breasts, upper chest, face; and then finally death. On other occasions, people died from suffocation with only their calves in fire. In many burnings a rope was attached to the convict's neck passing through a ring on the stake and they were simultaneously strangled and burned. In later years in England, some burnings only took place after the convict had already hung for a half-hour. In some Nordic and German burnings, convicts had containers of gunpowder tied to them or were tied to ladders and then swung into fully burning bonfires.

Burning was used as a means of execution in many ancient societies. According to ancient reports, Roman authorities executed many of the early Christian martyrs by burning. These reports claim that in some cases they failed to be burned, and had to be beheaded instead. However, all such ancient manuscripts were copied by Christian monks, and even Catholic sources state that many of these claims were invented. Under the Byzantine Empire, burning was introduced as a punishment for recalcitrant Zoroastrians, due to the belief that they worshipped fire.

In 1184, the Synod of Verona legislated that burning was to be the official punishment for heresy. This decree was later reaffirmed by the Fourth Council of the Lateran in 1215, the Synod of Toulouse in 1229, and numerous spiritual and secular leaders up through the 17th century.

Among the best known convicted heretics to be executed by burning were Jan Hus (1415), Joan of Arc (May 30th 1431) and Giordano Bruno (1600).

King Henry VIII had Friar John Forrest burnt for opposing the Royal Supremacy, as well as many others. However more of King Henry's religious victims, and those later of Queen Elizabeth I, died by disembowelling. During the reign of Queen Mary in England (1553-1558), some two hundred and seventy seven people were burnt at the stake for heresy against the Catholic church and conspiracy against the Queen, including Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer, and Nicholas Ridley. Between 1555-57 seventeen Protestants were burnt at the stake outside of the Star Inn in the town of Lewes in Sussex. The traditional bonfire celebrations held annually in the town on 5 November commemorate the burnings as well as the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Reformer, John Calvin also had many religious opponents burnt at the stake in Geneva, the most famous being Michael Servetus, executed in 1553.

Witch trials became increasingly popular through the 14th and 17th century in Scotland, Spain, England, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, and they continued to rage until the late 18th century. In many of these countries (although not in England) witches were burned to death. Death toll estimates for witchhunts in early modern Europe range from 60,000 to 300,000; higher figures which are sometimes cited are now generally believed to be inflated. [1], [2]

Contrary to popular belief, none of the executions in the Salem witch trials were carried out by burning. All were rather by hanging, with the exception of one case, in which the punishment was peine forte et dure.

The Spanish Inquisition, painted Pedro Berruguete . Saint Dominic Presiding over an Auto-da-fe, painted 1475. Oil on wood. 60 5/8 X 36 1/4"(154 X 92cm). Prado Museum, Madrid.
The Spanish Inquisition, painted Pedro Berruguete . Saint Dominic Presiding over an Auto-da-fe, painted 1475. Oil on wood. 60 5/8 X 36 1/4"(154 X 92cm). Prado Museum, Madrid.

In the 18th century, homosexuals in Edinburgh were killed by burning on Calton Hill. Sometimes a couple were burnt together.

In England, burning at the stake was replaced by hanging in 1790; although several of the last burnings were simply cremations in place after death by hanging.

In the United States, the first known burning took place in 1681; the last in 1825. Records of the 66 known burnings show that the punishment was applied only to slaves except for one or possibly two cases.

In Spain, the Auto de fe included burning as a possible punishment.

See also



Last updated: 11-05-2004 12:31:30