Something a little disturbing for Halloween.

In those halcyon days of public executions hanging people was a bit of a hit-and-miss affair.  The “science” of determining the drop needed, based on the height and weight of the condemned man or woman, was at best rudimentary and at worse not used. The result was that rather than a quick death from a broken neck the condemned would slowly and painfully asphyxiate, much to the entertainment of the watching crowd, as they kicked and danced in their dangling death throes.

And such entertainment could attract huge crowds comprising families, street vendors, pick-pockets and prostitutes, all vying for the best view of the spectacle or calculating their best prospects of doing business

The executioner would often cling on the condemned man as he hung, much to the delight of the crowd or pull down on their legs to quicken the death. Comedic though that was, it was an act of mercy and a condemned man or his family would often pay the executioner to do so.

An historical glimpse into who we once were.

Or I might be pulling your leg.