Legal Definitions - decollatio

Definition: Decollatio (dee-kah-lay-shee-oh) is a historical term that refers to the act of beheading. The word comes from the Latin words "de" meaning "off" and "collum" meaning "neck". It is similar in meaning to the term decapitation.

Examples: In medieval England and Scotland, decollatio was a common punishment for high treason, murder, and other serious crimes. For example, in 1305, William Wallace, a Scottish knight, was executed by decollatio for his role in the Scottish Wars of Independence. Another example is the execution of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII, who was beheaded in 1536 for adultery and treason.

The examples illustrate how decollatio was used as a form of punishment for serious crimes in medieval times. It was a brutal and public way of executing criminals, and it was meant to serve as a deterrent to others who might consider committing similar crimes.