January 30, 1649 –
If history teaches us anything, it’s that sometimes, it NOT good to be the king.
King Charles I of England, was beheaded for treason at Banqueting House on this date. It is reputed that he wore two shirts as to prevent the cold January weather causing any noticeable shivers that the crowd could have been mistaken for fear or weakness. He put his head on the block after saying a prayer and signaled the executioner when he was ready; he was then beheaded with one clean stroke.
It was common practice for the head of a traitor to be held up and exhibited to the crowd with the words Behold the head of a traitor!; although Charles‘ head was exhibited, the words were not used.
And sometimes, it is NOT good to have been the executioner of a king:
January 30, 1661 –
Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector and ruler of the English Commonwealth died of natural causes in 1658, and the job strangely went to his son Richard, who was overthrown shortly therefore. Radda, radda, radda, Charles‘ son, surprisingly known as Charles II was restored as King of England – this was known as the restoration.
Charles decreed that Cromwell be disinterred from Westminster Abbey, and that he be ‘executed’ – despite already being dead – for regicide. The bodies of Cromwell, Henry Ireton, (General in the Parliamentary Army during the Civil War), and John Bradshaw, (the President of the High Court of Justice), were removed from their graves.
They were hanged in chains at Tyburn before being beheaded. Their bodies were thrown into common graves, and their heads were placed on spikes above Westminster Hall.
So there really is no rest for the wicked, even after death.
The Haus of Dcaligari 