Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/429

ous and disgraceful punishments. The execution of the prisoners was appointed for the 21st of June, 1621. As the 7th of November, the time of the battle of the White Mountain, may be regarded as the day of death of Bohemia as a nation, so the 21st of June was the day of her funeral. To make the scene of the execution so impressive as to strike terror into the hearts of the people, the rink of the Old Town was especially fitted out for the occasion. A platform was erected upon the side of the Town Hall next to the rink, so that the prisoners stepping from the hall upon the place of execution could be seen by vast crowds of people. The platform thus erected was covered with black broadcloth, and surrounded on all sides by troops, so as to prevent any disturbance among the people. The condemned men were led out to execution according to their rank, and any effort made by them to address the people was drowned by the beating of drums and the blowing of trumpets. All went to death bravely, regarding themselves martyrs for the national cause. The first one that was beheaded was Andrew Slik, whose right hand was cut off after his death, as further punishment for having signed the articles of revolt; the second was Václav Budovec, famed for his learning; after him came Christopher Harant of Polzic, who was famous for his books of travel; then the aged Caspar Kaplir of Sulevic; and the rest in their order. Doctor John Jesinsky, a celebrated physician and at that time rector of the university, had his tongue torn out before his execution; and, after being beheaded, his body was quartered beneath the gallows, and stuck up on poles in different parts of the city. John Kutnauer, the mayor of the city, and Simon Susicky, were hanged