The three monks went to their death unafraid.

When his friar's gown was taken from him, Savonarola said: "Holy gown, thou wert granted to me by God's grace and I have ever kept thee unstained.

Now I forsake thee not but am bereft of thee." (This very garment is in the glass case in Savonarola's cell at S.Marco.) The Bishop replied hastily: "I separate thee from the Church militant and triumphant".

"Militant," replied Savonarola, "not triumphant, for that rests not with you." The monks were first hanged and then burned.
The larger picture of the execution which hangs in Savonarola's cell, although interesting and up to a point credible, is of course not right.

The square must have been crowded: in fact we know it was.