A Hangman’s Diary

A Hangman's Diary offers a compelling year-by-year account of Master Franz Schmidt's career as the executioner for Bamberg and Nuremberg from 1573 to 1617, detailing over 350 executions along with the crimes that led to them. Edited by Albrecht Keller and translated by C. Calvert and A. W. Gruner, this work provides insights into the criminal procedures of Medieval Germany, immersing listeners in the gravity of execution day through Schmidt's personal reflections. More than just a historical narrative, it highlights the chaotic nature of justice in a bygone era.