Medieval Torture

1. Medieval Torture

2. Introduction • Many castles had torture chambers • The law did not contain rules about the treatment of people and torture • Different types of torture were used depending on the crime and social status of the person • Torture was a legitimate way to obtain confessions for trials in the Middle Ages http://undeniableme.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/cbl-clipart-legal.jpg

3. Pillory/Stock • mild form of punishment used to humiliate • crowds often threw objects, such as vegetables • For more serious offenses, they might throw stones or objects. • Took place in the market or plaza so the villagers could see the suffering http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/18100/18103/pillory_18103_lg.gif

4. The Brank • Metal cage placed over the head of a person who gossiped or lied • Used to humiliate • Lasted a few hours to months.  http://www.medievality.com/brank.html

5. Foot roasting • The victim's feet were imprisoned in the stocks and then red-hot coals were placed under them. If he refused to confess, his bare feet were exposed to the flames.  • The torture progressed until the victim's feet were charred to the bone. http://www.medievality.com/images/torture/footstocks.jpg

6. The Rack http://www.onelargeprawn.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/the-rack.jpg

7. The Pendulum • The victim's wrists were tied behind his back. As the torturer turned the handle, the rope slowly elevated eventually dislocating the victim's shoulders. • This was very seldom a lethal torture method, as torturers used the pendulum mostly for inflicting psychological fear to extract confessions.  • Many confessed by the mere sight of this device. http://www.phawker.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/torture_01.jpg

8. Exposure • buried up to his neck letting any animals, insects or other people kill him slowly.  • Sometimes sentenced to a short period of exposure, depending on the crime. • Frequently died b/c they were defenseless • In many cases, the victim was simply left to die of hunger and thirst.  http://www.beargrylls.com/images/buried_bear_grylls.jpg This was a very popular method to use, since it was inexpensive, yet effective. The victim's remains were often left to serve as a warning.

9. The Chair • 500 to 1,500 spikes per chair • It was a common practice to extract a confession by forcing the victim to watch someone else be tortured with this instrument. • Wounds were closed by the spikes which delayed blood loss greatly. • Could live hours to days

10. Burning at the Stake • Burning at the stake was a very common way to execute blasphemers (people who say/do things against the religion; in this case, Christianity), thieves, and witches. It was used throughout the Middle Ages and beyond. • People were usually burned in a small fire so they would suffer. http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/burn-at-the-stake.jpg

11. Quartering • If the tendons and ligaments still resisted the combined efforts of the four horses, the executioner assisted, and made several cuts with a hatchet on each joint. • often lasted several hours • When each horse had drawn out a limb, they were collected and placed near the trunk, which often still showed signs of life, and they were all burned together. http://www.wired.com/images/article/full/2007/10/torture_580x.jpg

12. Write • Should our society have such devices for punishments today? Why/not? • How would America change if we did?

13. Bibliography Anonymous. “Medieval Torture”. Middle Ages Encyclopedia. n.d. January 30, 2010 http://www.middle-ages.org.uk