It is no surprise that the vocation of Medieval executioners is up there as one of the most undesirable jobs in the Middle Ages, along with leech collector and gong farmer. Lawlessness and crime were so widespread across the world. Rape, murder, theft, heresy – every type of sin and debauchery ran unchecked throughout medieval society. Most countries were trying to move away from the idea of criminal prosecutions being a private matter. The authorities developed new legal procedures whereby they could arrest suspects without waiting for an accusation from the victim. This meant that they could investigate, question and secure a confession from the accused, and once found guilty, for most people justice was swift, brutal and without mercy. With most criminals evading arrest an example had to be made of those who were caught, and what better deterrent than a public execution?