I read the account of an execution in England where the Executioner came out and chatted with the crowd. He then whacked a few melons and such to the cheers of the attendees, greeted the condemned and accepted their tribute, DONNED the hood and then performed the task of state. Then he took off the hood. It was pretty much a symbol, don't you think? I believe this was the account of one of the nobles being dispatched but I can't remember which.