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radagastly · 12-28-2006, 06:38 PM

I don't have my books with me, so I can't quote, but I believe Theoden uses the word Gibbet when speaking to Saruman. ("To hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows!" --?) or something to that effect. In medieval and rennaissance Europe, hanging was usually relegated to the lower classes, while aristocracy was generally beheaded as punishment for capital crime. Obviously, Theoden would not have mentioned a gibbet if he was not aware of it's function, whether it was used in Rohan or not. I suspect it was an option, seldom, if ever, exercised. I imagine it was similar in Gondor.

I can't imagine the elves ever using capital punishment. For one thing, they knew their own people would simply go to the Halls of Mandos when they died, and wait to be re-made (or for the end of the world to come.) The punished could eventually be back among them. While the spirits of Man went beyond the circles of the world, the elves knew not where, I think their own love of Arda and all it contained could not allow themselves to deprive anyone of it's beauty. They might kill in battle, but not coldly as punishment. It just doesn't seem consistent with their view of the world.

12-28-2006, 06:38 PM	#4
radagastly Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Washington, D. C., USA Posts: 299	I don't have my books with me, so I can't quote, but I believe Theoden uses the word Gibbet when speaking to Saruman. ("To hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows!" --?) or something to that effect. In medieval and rennaissance Europe, hanging was usually relegated to the lower classes, while aristocracy was generally beheaded as punishment for capital crime. Obviously, Theoden would not have mentioned a gibbet if he was not aware of it's function, whether it was used in Rohan or not. I suspect it was an option, seldom, if ever, exercised. I imagine it was similar in Gondor. I can't imagine the elves ever using capital punishment. For one thing, they knew their own people would simply go to the Halls of Mandos when they died, and wait to be re-made (or for the end of the world to come.) The punished could eventually be back among them. While the spirits of Man went beyond the circles of the world, the elves knew not where, I think their own love of Arda and all it contained could not allow themselves to deprive anyone of it's beauty. They might kill in battle, but not coldly as punishment. It just doesn't seem consistent with their view of the world. __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before, I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.