Executing condemned convicts is a task steeped in tradition, in order to kept it solemn, efficient, and fair (although many would argue with the last part). One part of the execution process we've become familiar with through movies and newspaper accounts is the last meal, in which a doomed prisoner can have anything he wants to eat. There's even a blog about them. How far back does that tradition go? It's possible that it may have grown out of feasts for Roman gladiators the night before battle.
Things began to pick up steam considerably on this front around the 16th century, however. Or, at least, things appear to have. It is entirely possible that such courtesies were widely granted before this to even the poor, with documented evidence of it simply not surviving. On that note, things like the printing press’ invention in the 15th century began making documented history of rather mundane events like the executions of random Joe Citizens more, well, documented. Thus, it may or may not be coincidence that accounts of such courtesies started to pop up more and more around the 16th century and progressing from there.
Whatever the case, by the 18th century, particularly in places like England, such practices were definitely around and relatively common. For example, in London it was common to allow the condemned to enjoy a meal with various guests, generally including the executioner, on the eve of the execution. Further, there is record of Newgate Prison death row inmates being allowed to stop at a pub on their march to their death at the Tyburn Fair gallows. At the pub, they would typically share drinks with their guards and executioner.
A prisoner's last meal before execution was treated differently over time and in different nations -and even in different states in the US. Read what Today I Found Out found out about the last meal before execution.
(Image credit: jeffreyw)