What was written on the execution sword?
Rating: +1
Full question: What was written on the sword used to execute Anne Boleyn - Shirley
I'm not actually aware of there being anything written on the sword that killed Anne Boleyn. As you know, the swordsman was French, from Calais, and was specially ordered. According to Eric Ives, he was an expert executioner and he charged £23 6s 8d for his services. I've checked through my books and online and I can't find any more information about the sword except that it was a heavy, continental sword.
Perhaps someone else will know.
OK, I've just found out what was written on the sword used in The Tudors Show (thanks to Ms Squirrly from The Tudors wiki!) and it says in French "La main droite, c'est ,mon seigneur. La Vertu, L'Amour Le Mort" which means "My Lord (as in Jesus/God) is the right hand. Virtue, Love, Death.". As Ms Squirrly has suggested, it may mean that the executioner feels that he is doing the Lord's work and that he, himself, is not to blame. Also I wonder if it is talking about Anne - virtue, love, death seem to be the story of her life!
This was written on the sword in the show and there is no evidence that I can find to suggest that anything was engraved on the real sword.
Hope that helps,
Claire
I’m opposed to the death penalty in today’s world, however, I can see where it was necessary in less technologically-advanced times. (Not for things like adultery and thievery, but for murder and treason.) The service provided by this swordsman was to create a humane, painless and dignified death for the condemned. So in a way, he was doing a good thing.
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Henry Reply:
January 23rd, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Really
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Where is this sword today? Is it on display in a museum?
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Claire Reply:
January 17th, 2012 at 8:47 am
Hi Lynn,
Nobody knows. The executioner would have taken it away with him as it was the tool of his trade and it obviously was not seen as special back then. Hever Castle have an execution sword in their collection but it’s not THE sword.
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I would have thought that if there was anything etched into the sword it would have inpeded the blow. Therefore I don’t think that the sword was anything more than just that a plain smooth bladed sharp sword. I believe that most executioners had their own axe or sword anyway as it would have been custom made to suit their talents. Balance length, etc.. The only way we could really find out if the sword that killed Anne is still around is by finding out the name of the executioner who killed her, very often things like this were passed down from generation to generation, sons following fathers into the execution business..
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