Drawing and Quartering.

Drawing and Quartering. The punishment for Treason (q.v.), in force till 1870, was that the offender be drawn to the place of execution on a hurdle; that he be hanged by the neck and disembowelled; that his head be severed from his body, and that body be divided into four parts, or quartered. Despard (q.v.) and his six confederates were in 1803 drawn, hanged, and beheaded. See Notes and Queries for 1880-82.