Torture Style During the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, torture was

considered a legitimate way to extract confessions, punish offenders, and perform executions. Some

methods were considerably cruelerthan others— these 10 being amongthe most barbaric and brutal.

Europe's Medieval period lasted fromthe 5th to the 15th century. Duringthis time, torture was often used toextract confessions, or obtain the names of accomplices or other information about crimes. Laws and local customs did not impose limits on the treatment of prisoners or the extent to which torture could be inflicted. In fact, confessions were not considered genuine or sincere when

so-called "light torture" was used (such as toe wedging and strapped)different types of torture were used

depending on the victim's crime,gender, and social status. Skilled torturers would use methods, devices,

and instruments to prolong life aslong as possible while inflicting agonizing pain. Many prisoners were

tortured prior to execution in orderto obtain additional information; inmany of these cases, the executionmethod was part of the tortureendured by prisoners.There are dozens upon dozens ofdifferent torture techniques anddevices. I recently visited the Museumof Medieval Torture Instruments inPrague where these 10 caught my eye.But before you read any further, bewarned that they are very graphic disturbing.

1

The Judas Cradle

Also called the Judas Chair, this

Italian invention was particularly

cruel.

Using ropes, a prisoner would be

lowered above the pyramid-shaped

"seat" with the point inserted into the

anus or vagina. Victims would be

tortured by intense pressure and

stretching of the orifice, resulting in

permanent damage. In many cases,

the victim would succumb to rips inthe muscle tissue that would laterbecome infected. Weights would beadded to facilitate the effect, oftenresulting in death by impalement.A similar device, called the SpanishDonkey (or wooden horse), achieveda similar effect. Victims straddled thetriangular "horse" and were forced toplace their full body weight on theircrotch, which rested on the point ofthe angle.

2. Pear of AnguishThis heinous contraption was usedduring the Middle Ages as a way totorture women who were accused offacilitating a miscarriage. It wasalsoused to punish liars, blasphemers,and homosexuals. The device wasinserted into one of the prisoner'sorifices — the vagina for women, tetanus for homosexuals, and the mouth

for liars and blasphemers (which swishy it's also known as the Choke

Pear).The device featured four metal leavesthat slowly separated from each otheras the torturer turned the screw atthe top. The torturer could use it totear the skin, or expand it to itsmaximal size to mutilate the victim.It rarely caused death, but was followed by other torture methods.

3. Breaking Wheel

Also known as the Catherine wheel,

this torture device was used to

torture and kill prisoners for public

executions.

The device was typically a large

wagon wheel with radial spokes.

Offenders were were lashed to the

wheel and their limbs beaten with a

club or iron cudgel. The gaps in the

wheel allowed the limbs to give way

and break. Disturbingly, the survival

time after being "broken" could beextensive, with some accounts of victims living for several days prior

to succumbing to their mortalinjuries.Related: Welcome to the macabre worldof 'execution site archaeology' | The 5Most Unpleasant And Undignified WaysTo Die In Ancient Times.

4. Iron Chair

This torture device was used

extensively during the Middle Ages.

Victims would be placed onto the

chair — which featured hundreds of

sharp spikes — followed by the

progressive tightening of iron

restraints, forcing the spikes deep

into the flesh.

This could go on for hours, sometimes

days. The spikes did not penetrate

vital organs and blood loss swam minimized — at least until the person

was released from the chair. Death often followed. The Iron Chair was often used as a psychological instrument of torture; victims would often confess after being forced to watch other prisoners being tortured by the device.
To be continues--------