Morbid Question?

Question

I've been reading various old english books, and each time they've hung someone they've done it with a hangmans knot. Seriously, is there any other way they broke ones neck lynching other than using the hang-mans knot? *this is not a suicidal question, rather historic*

Answer 1

I would have thought any old knot, tied tightly around the neck, will do the job. It's just that a hangman's knot is a slipknot, so if it's not tight it will tighten when the weight of the body pulls on it. But any knot will do the job.
Death from hanging usually occurs when the weight of the body, and the impetus from the fall, snaps the neck. If done properly.
If done incorrectly, or if the executioner is feeling malicious, then death will occur through strangulation and can take some time and, obviously, be extremely painful and distressing for the victim.

Answer 2

The hangmans knot with the fall causes the neck to break, causing death quickly in most cases. Without the large knot they would probably just suffocate, slowly.