Jan Mydlář

Jan Mydlář (1572–1664) was a 17th-century executioner from Bohemia. He is most known for the red hood-like mask he donned when performing his executions.

Jan Mydlář
Born1572
Died1664
NationalityCzech
OccupationExecutioner
TitleHeadsman
Execution of 27 Bohemian Revolt leaders, Old Town Square, Prague, 21 June 1621

Old Town Square execution

Mydlář carried out the killings in the Old Town Square execution of 27 Bohemian Revolt leaders.[1] These leaders were men of high importance, representing various ranks in Czech society and professions. They had organized an uprising against the Habsburg Emperor Matthias and later Ferdinand II.

On 21 June 1621, Mydlář executed the 27 revolters on behalf of the Austrian House of Habsburg. He beheaded twelve of the men and hanged the other fifteen. The Habsburgs displayed the cut-off heads of the beheaded men on the Prague Old Town Bridge Tower.

Legacy

Mydlář is the central character of a 19th-century novel by Josef Svátek based on his life, The Memoirs of a Prague Executioner.[2] According to the novel, young Mydlář became an executioner because of a disappointment in love, just before graduating from medical school.

References
  1. "Old Town Square Executions in 1621 | VERITAS, r.a." veritas.evangnet.cz. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  2. SVATEK, JOSEF (2015). MEMOIRS OF A PRAGUE EXECUTIONER : a historical novel based on actual events. [S.l.]: CREATESPACE INDEPENDENT P. ISBN 1-5117-7638-2. OCLC 1246141157.


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