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To: SpinnerWebb
Nope, that's what the guys in Germany and Eastern Europe did (they were a lot more creative and, believe it or not, crueller than the English). "Drawing" may mean to pull apart, but not in this case.

"Hanging, drawing, and quartering" was the traditional English punishment for high treason (as opposed to low or petit treason). William Wallace, a bunch of Catholic priests, and Guy Fawkes were hanged, drawn and quartered (although Fawkes escaped the worst of it by leaping from the ladder after the rope was placed, breaking his neck and dying instantly). The law remained on the books well into the 19th century, but was last applied to the Cato Street Conspirators - during the reign of George IV.

46 posted on 05/18/2011 11:41:34 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of ye Chasse, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: AnAmericanMother

I always thought drawing and quartering was done with 4 horses, pulling the limbs off. Well, you learn something new everyday.


53 posted on 05/18/2011 3:05:08 PM PDT by Amberdawn
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