Over 40 years ago I had occasion to look at almost the entire set of U.S. Army Regulations, a bookshelf about 6 feet long.
The one that left the greatest impression was the reg on how to conduct a hanging–what kind of rope–how long to boil and dry it to take out the springiness–how to tie the knot–how to position the heavy knot behind the neck so it would smack the back of the prisoner’s head and either break his neck and kill him instantly or at least knock him out so he wouldn’t struggle while he strangled–how to calculate the amount of slack in the rope to get the right drop distance based on the prisoner’s height and weight to be sure of killing him without ripping off his head. I was impressed by the Army’s thoroughness.
I don’t think the Army has hanged anyone since WWII, but we should have lent a copy to the Iraqis for their executions of Saddam and friends, some of which didn’t go so well.
There’s a very good movie about the life of Britain’s most prolific hangman, Albert Pierrepoint, who hanged the prisoners convicted of war crimes at the Nuremburg trials. Timothy Spall played Albert Pierrepoint in the movie titled “Pierrepoint, the Last Hangman” in north america. It gives a lot of insight into the the milieu both technical and social of executioners.
pouncingtiger over 15 years ago
I hope there’s no rope burns.
Dutchboy1 over 15 years ago
I think the Fink has been smoking some of his hanging ropes.
ladywolf17 over 15 years ago
Are you sure it’s sturdy enough.
runar over 15 years ago
Rope is made from hemp stems. What happens to the leaves? Maybe that’s where the Wizard’s potions get their kick.
The Duke 1 over 15 years ago
I think the king went soft all right….in the head!!!!
SaintRCat over 15 years ago
Actually, he’s got a very good green policy already. Killing more people = less people to pollute the earth. That’s why robots “go nuts” all the time.
Superfrog over 15 years ago
We can recycle hemp?
I was always taught there was no such thing as money for old rope.
pschearer Premium Member over 15 years ago
Over 40 years ago I had occasion to look at almost the entire set of U.S. Army Regulations, a bookshelf about 6 feet long.
The one that left the greatest impression was the reg on how to conduct a hanging–what kind of rope–how long to boil and dry it to take out the springiness–how to tie the knot–how to position the heavy knot behind the neck so it would smack the back of the prisoner’s head and either break his neck and kill him instantly or at least knock him out so he wouldn’t struggle while he strangled–how to calculate the amount of slack in the rope to get the right drop distance based on the prisoner’s height and weight to be sure of killing him without ripping off his head. I was impressed by the Army’s thoroughness.
I don’t think the Army has hanged anyone since WWII, but we should have lent a copy to the Iraqis for their executions of Saddam and friends, some of which didn’t go so well.
gjsjr41 over 15 years ago
Considering who they hung, who cares?
Ray_C over 15 years ago
Bdaysuit : Are you saying that Saddam was not well hung? Can’t resist: noting that Saddam was hanged, not hung.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, but Saddam was hanged when they kicked out the chair.
Mark Berte Premium Member over 15 years ago
There’s a very good movie about the life of Britain’s most prolific hangman, Albert Pierrepoint, who hanged the prisoners convicted of war crimes at the Nuremburg trials. Timothy Spall played Albert Pierrepoint in the movie titled “Pierrepoint, the Last Hangman” in north america. It gives a lot of insight into the the milieu both technical and social of executioners.
Wildmustang1262 over 15 years ago
Really! Did King Fink smoke marijuana? Oh cool! He gets high already.
Redshoescow over 15 years ago
lol