BEHEADING, a capital punishment, wherein the
head is severed from the body by the stroke of an axe,
sword, or other cutting instrument.
Beheading was a military punishment among the
Romans, known by the name of decollatio. Among
them the head was laid on a cippus or block, placed in
a pit dug for the purpose; in the army, without the
valum; in the city, without the walls, at a place near
the porta decumana. Preparatory to the stroke, the
criminal was tied to a stake, and whipped with rods.
In the early ages the blow was given with an axe; but
in after-times with a sword, which was thought the
more reputable manner of dying. The execution was
but clumsily performed in the first times; but after-
wards they grew more expert, and took the head off
clean, with one circular stroke.
In England and France, beheading is the punish-
ment of nobles; being reputed not to derogate from
nobility, as hanging does.
In Scotland they do not behead with an axe, as in
England; nor with a sword, as in Holland and France;
but with an edged instrument called the MAIDEN.