Execution

On a hill overlooking Lewes, East Sussex, a large number of men were executed at some point in the medieval period. The men were all in the 20’s or 30’s; they had all had their hands tied behind their backs, and were killed by sword blows to the back of the head. Several seem to have been decapitated, the heads probably being placed on spikes. This horrific incident may have taken place after the Battle of Lewes in 1264, in which case the victims were probably members of the losing royal army.

Buy this image

Back to medieval menu