EXECUTIONER SWORD WITH INSCRIPTION: “When I raise this sword, so I wish that this poor sinner will receive eternal life.”
Germany, 1600s
That’s a fairly standard inscription:
Another common one is “The Lords Control Mischief / I Execute Their Verdict”.
Some even had little illustrations, a nasty visual menu of alternate services. Getting beheaded was getting off lightly - if you don’t know what the chap on the circular lounger is doing, “Breaking Wheel” on Wikipedia will explain…
There was even a sword inscription which translated as “Those Who Meet Me Will Never Fall Sick.”
Hilarious. I laughed my head off…
