Mediaeval Dungeons

Last Meal Before the Execution

The only room with natural daylight was the "Hangman's Room", furnished with just a table and a chair. This is where those condemned to death could have their last meal before the execution.

Food during the last three days before the execution was quite rich. This was probably also intended to calm the prisoners.

A specification of costs lists the foodstuffs dished out during the last three days, e.g. on the last evening:

• 1 Egg gruel
• 2 potted chickens
• 1 roasted leg of veal
• 1 ½ litres of wine
• 6 rolls

Place of Execution

This was the "Rabenstein" (ravenstone) in the Galgenhof (gallowgate) part of town, just outside the city walls, roughly where today's railway station is situated. The place of execution, a brick structure of considerable proportions, was established there in 1441. This may be concluded from a report on the refurbishing of this site in 1605.