Franz Schmidt was the city executioner in Bamberg, northern Bavaria, during the late 16th and early 17th century. Like many other medieval and early modern executioners, Schmidt had taken over the role from his father, Heinrich.

During his 45 years of service, Schmidt the younger despatched 361 convicted criminals. He also dispensed various forms of torture and corporal punishment, including floggings, brandings and the removal of fingers, eyes and ears.

Schmidt kept a comprehensive diary that recorded each of his 361 executions, noting the victim’s crime, the method of execution used and other interesitng details. One of the more curious entries recalls the execution of George Praun, a cook from Mannsfeld. Praun was an inveterate thief beheaded by Schmidt, who recorded something peculiar about Praun’s severed head:

“When placed on the stone, his head turned several times, as if it wanted to look about it… [It] moved its tongue and opened its mouth, as if wanting to speak, for a good quarter of an hour. I have never seek the like of this before.”

Like other executioners of his age, Schmidt also had a profitable sideline in medical advice – and probably also in the sale of body parts and the belongings of his victims. He became quite wealthy and in retirement was a prominent member of Nuremberg’s affluent classes until his death in 1637.

Source: Diaries of Franz Schmidt, May 20th 1602 entry; pub. 1801. Content on this page is © Alpha History 2019-23. Content may not be republished without our express permission. For more information please refer to our Terms of Use or contact Alpha History.