Forgiving the executioner
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Lady Jane
buhlmann49 — 14 years ago(November 09, 2011 06:09 AM)
Did the executioner always ask for forgiveness?
Did people always forgive the executioner?
I guess if you didn't, he could make a mess of it.
Another page says you were not only expected to forgive the executioner, but to also pay them. -
BoomerMovieFan — 14 years ago(February 03, 2012 01:59 PM)
"he could make a mess of it"
Could and did, at least in the cases of Mary, Queen of Scots; the Countess of Salisbury and Thomas Cromwell.
I've always read that the coin the condemned person gives the executioner was payment for not botching the job. I've never heard of anyone not forgiving the executioner. I guess it's best to stay on his good side.