First posted 20030215
Last updated 20030215

Britain finally abolished the sentence of "drawing and quartering" in 1848.

From the standard sentence for treason, perhaps from the 1679 "Popish Plot" trial of Ireland, Pickering, and Grove:

That you, the Prisoners at the Bar, be conveyed hence to the place from whence you came, and from thence that you be drawn to the place of Execution upon Hurdles, that there you be severally hanged by the Neck, that you be cut down alive, that your Privy Members be cut off, and your Bowels taken out and burnt in your view, that your Heads be severed from your Bodies, that your Bodies be divided into Quarters, and those Quarters be disposed at the King's pleasure: And the God of infinite Mercy be merciful to your Souls.
(Helm, p. 49)

I require you immediately on sight hereof to erect a gallows in the most public place of your said city to hang the said traitors on, and that you provide halters to hang them with, a sufficient number of faggots to burn the bowels of four traitors and a furnace or cauldron to boil their head and quarters, and salt to boil therewith, half a bushel to each traitor, and tar to tar them with and a sufficient number of spears and poles to fix and place their heads and quarters, and that you warn the owners of four oxen to be ready with a dray or wain and the said four oxen at the time hereafter mentioned for execution, and yourselves together with a guard of forty able men at the least, to be present on Wednesday morning next by eight of the clock to be aiding and assisting to me, or my deputy, to see the said rebels executed.... You are also to provide an axe and a cleaver for the quartering of the said rebels.
(Helm, p. 143.)