Chris Stephens

Hi there all,



While in Switzerland this summer, I ran across this exhibit in a Schloss (castle) in Thun, Switzerland and thought I would share it with you all on this forum.



Tucked around the corner in one of the rooms was this exhibit containing the Executioner's Sword of Thun circa 1350 that was used, well, for beheading criminals of the court.



It had a very heavily "nicked" blade and contained Ruin like symbols running down the center of the blade.







Unlike other broadswords on display, this does not have the defensive hilt and features a full length tapering blade. Note that the end of the blade is not pointed for stabbing.



HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL!



Chris

Awesome. Nobility often chose to be beheaded with a sword rather than an axe as it was cleaner and quicker. The axe would sometimes take several strikes to do the job and was very messy, whereas the sword was usually much more efficient. Must have been a nice choice to make!

It's a sure bet that the runic symbols running down the blade are some variation of an absolution.



In England, for instance, an executioner's weapons would be engraved with the words "Cast in the name of God. Ye not guilty." It was meant to reassure the executioner that he was in no way liable for the death of anyone he executed, but was merely a cog in the wheel of justice.

Chris Stephens

Hello,



I am not certain what the symbols meant or stood for. I visited 3 castles with fully stocked medieval museaums filled with armor and weapons last summer while in Switzerland. The majority of weapons on display were not glass cased as this one.



I wish I'd gotten a closer picture of this one, but there was just too much to see at one time.



Chris