The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 10.1756  Monday, 18 October 1999.

From:           Sean Lawrence <
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Date:           Friday, 15 Oct 1999 09:15:57 -0700
Subject:        Pride and Beheading

Dear all,

I'm sure I ran across, at some point, a note by a foreign traveler to
the effect that that the English peerage were proud of forebears who had
been beheaded.  I believe that the logic was that since only traitors
were beheaded, it was a sign that one's ancestors had been powerful
enough to challenge the king.  Does anyone know where I could find a
reference to this?

Thank you all in advance,
Se