Axe and block in the Tower of London. Photo May 2003.
The block seen here is made of oak and weighs 56.75 kg (125 lbs) and probably dates from the 18th century. The axe is thought to be one of the four noted in the Tower inventory from the 17th century, but may date from the 16th century.
I saw this on a travel site recently and the author stated that this was the axe that was used on Anne Boleyn. Of course, I had to remind them that Anne was executed by a French swordsman and not an English axeman.
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Thanks
Rich.
@Rex – It’s funny you should mention that story about Anne Boleyn. When I went to double-check the dates in one of my guidebooks, they mention the legend connecting it to AB but explain that it can’t be true because she was executed by sword. It’s really amazing to me that anyone would think that she was executed by this axe since the fact she was executed by a French swordsman is, I think, such an important part of the story of her fall and execution.
The axe and block are just WAY too clean! Would really get the point across about this method of ‘dispatchology’ if it looked like it had been used.
Sorry…I know…a bit of a brutal picture comes to mind, especially over morning coffee…but what a way to really understand a bit of history.