The exhibit shows different forms of punishments that existed in King Christian Vs Norwegian law from 1687 up until the last beheading in 1876. Shaming punishments were conducted in public.

As today, fines were the most common form of punishment. For disturbing the peace or swearing you could get away with a few hours in the stocks (pillory). Theft of a large sum was punished with whipping and branding. The stocks in the exhibit originally stood outside the old city hall of Trondheim.

It was the executioner who was responsible for enacting the punishments and beheading in his district. Even though the work was well paid, the job was not well liked, and people did not wish to socialise with the executioner or his family. The job was therefore often hereditary. In the exhibit you can find the axes and sword of Johann Caspar Öhlstein, the executioner in Trondheim 1744-1768.

Next to the axe a skull is displayed. The skull probably belonged to a woman who was executed on Ørlandet in the 18th century.

You can find the exhibit on the first floor in the western wing, past the uniform exhibit.