2. Druk,druk,druk

Also on the Mertveld

1686

Busy, busy, busy

Yes, yes, there's a lot involved in such an execution. This is not simply throwing a rope over a wooden scaffold and thrusting someone's head into the loop. It is not just casually waving a sword around and then meepesantly knocking someone's head off. Carrying out the death sentence on Peter, Jan Peter Gielens' son, took preparation and aftercare. Hearing witnesses, interrogating the accused under torture, the journey of the aldermen to Alden Biesen, finding, collecting and bringing back a sharpshooter (at 25 guilders + 3 pennies), legal advice money, the supper with the commander and the neighbouring officers on the day of the execution - as usual with wine and beer - the supper of the executioner and his servant, the wages for the bailiff for watching over the execution, the making of the scaffold, the lawyer's expenses, all that had to be done and settled!