1. Hanging: This was the most common method of execution and was used for a wide range of crimes, including theft, treason, and murder. The condemned individual would be hanged from a gallows until death.
2. Beheading: Beheading was reserved for crimes considered particularly heinous, such as treason or murder of a high-ranking official. The executioner would use a large sword or axe to sever the head of the condemned individual.
3. Burning at the Stake: This method of execution was primarily used for crimes related to heresy, witchcraft, or religious dissent. The condemned individual would be tied to a stake and burned alive.
4. Drawing and Quartering: This was a particularly brutal method of execution and was reserved for high treason. The condemned individual would be tied to a wooden frame, where their limbs would be pulled apart by horses or ropes. Their body would then be quartered and displayed in public places as a warning to others.
5. Pressing to Death: This method of execution involved placing heavy weights on the chest of the condemned individual until death occurred. It was often used for crimes such as refusing to plead to charges or standing mute during a trial.
Public executions were often carried out in highly visible locations, such as market squares or public thoroughfares, as a means of deterrence and to serve as a warning to others. The methods were designed to be as public and gruesome as possible to make a lasting impact on the minds of the spectators.