What are the different kinds of medieval torture methods?
There were many different methods of torture that were used in the Middle Ages, some of which were more widespread than others. These are usually split into two categories: physical torture and psychological torture, of which physical was much more common.
Some of the most common physical torture methods used in the Middle Ages included the rack, the iron maiden, the wheel, the pear of anguish, the brazen bull, the Judas cradle, thumbscrews, branding and mutilation, and whipping. Meanwhile, some of the most common psychological torture methods included water torture, confinement, mock executions, and sleep deprivation.
It’s important to note that the use of torture was not universal in the Middle Ages, and not all societies or individuals engaged in the practice. Furthermore, the use of torture varied depending on the specific social, legal, and political contexts of the time and place.
Methods of physical torture
The rack
The rack was a type of physical torture device that was commonly used in the Middle Ages, often to extract confessions or information from prisoners. The victim’s dislocated joints and broken bones could take months to heal, and some prisoners did not survive the torture.
The device consisted of a rectangular frame with rollers at both ends, and ropes or chains were used to bind the victim’s wrists and ankles to the rollers.
To use the rack, the victim would be laid down on their back on the rack, with their limbs tied to the rollers. The rollers would then be turned by a torturer, pulling the victim’s limbs in opposite directions and causing their joints to be dislocated or even broken. In some cases, the torturer might also apply weights to the victim’s body to increase the amount of stretching and pressure.
It’s worth noting that while the rack was a common torture method in the Middle Ages, it was also used in other periods of history, and it continued to be used in some parts of the world into the 20th century.
The iron maiden
The iron maiden was a type of torture device that is often associated with the Middle Ages, although its exact origins and use are uncertain. The iron maiden consisted of a large, vertical cabinet or box made of wood or iron, with an interior lined with spikes or blades.
To use the iron maiden, the victim would be placed inside the cabinet and the door would be closed, trapping them inside with the spikes or blades. The spikes were designed to pierce the victim’s flesh when they moved or shifted, causing extreme pain and injury. The victim would be left inside the iron maiden for an extended period, often resulting in death.
While the iron maiden is often depicted in popular culture as a common torture device in the Middle Ages, there is actually little historical evidence to support this idea. The first known reference to an iron maiden comes from the 18th century, long after the Middle Ages had ended. Many historians believe that the iron maiden was actually a creation of the 19th century, designed to capitalise on the public’s fascination with torture and punishment in earlier periods of history.
Despite its uncertain origins, the iron maiden has become a symbol of the brutality and violence of the past, and it remains a potent image in popular culture today.
The wheel
The wheel, also known as the breaking wheel or the Catherine wheel, was a type of torture device that was commonly used in the Middle Ages. The device consisted of a large wooden or iron wheel mounted on a pole or frame, with radial spokes that could be used to bind a person’s limbs.
To use the wheel, the victim would be tied to the spokes of the wheel and then turned slowly by a torturer, using a mallet or hammer to break the victim’s bones. The torturer might start at the extremities, such as the fingers and toes, and then move up the limbs to the arms and legs.
After the bones were broken, the victim would be left on the wheel to die from their injuries. The use of the wheel was intended to cause extreme physical pain and suffering, and it was often used as a form of punishment for serious crimes. The victim’s broken bones could take months to heal, and some prisoners did not survive the torture.
The pear of anguish
The pear of anguish, also known as the choke pear, was a torture device that was sometimes used in the Middle Ages, particularly in cases involving accusations of heresy or witchcraft. The device was pear-shaped and made of metal, with four leaves that could be separated by a screw or lever.
To use the pear of anguish, the torturer would insert the device into the victim’s mouth, anus, or vagina and then slowly turn the screw or lever, causing the leaves to expand and stretch the orifice. In some cases, the torturer might also apply pressure to the device, causing the sharp edges of the leaves to cut and tear the victim’s flesh.
There is some historical debate about the extent of the use of the pear of anguish in the Middle Ages and its specific origins. While the device is commonly associated with the Middle Ages, some historians argue that it may have been a later invention, and that its use was relatively limited in medieval Europe.
However, the exact extent of its use and its specific purpose is unclear, and it is possible that some reports of the pear of anguish may have been exaggerated or fabricated over time.
The Judas cradle
The Judas cradle was a torture device that was used in the Middle Ages and later. The device consisted of a pyramid-shaped seat made of wood or metal, with a pointed tip.
To use the Judas cradle, the victim would be suspended above the seat, and then lowered onto the tip of the pyramid. The pointed tip would penetrate the victim’s anus, vagina, or scrotum, causing extreme pain and discomfort. The victim would be left on the device for an extended period, often resulting in injury, infection, or death.
The use of the Judas cradle was intended to cause physical pain and humiliation, and it was often used to punish people who were accused of various crimes, such as heresy or adultery. The device was also used as a means of extracting confessions or information from prisoners.
The Judas cradle is thought to have originated in the medieval period, and it continued to be used in various forms throughout the following centuries.
Thumbscrews
Thumbscrews were another type of torture device that was commonly used in Europe in the Middle Ages and later. The device consisted of two metal rods or plates that were connected by a screw or lever.
To use the thumbscrews, the victim’s fingers or toes would be placed between the rods, and then the screw or lever would be turned, causing the rods to crush the victim’s digits. The pressure could be increased slowly over time, causing more and more pain and damage to the fingers or toes.
The use of thumbscrews was intended to cause physical pain and suffering, and it was often used as a means of punishment or to extract confessions or information from prisoners. Thumbscrews could cause serious injury, including broken bones, and in some cases, amputation might be required.
Whips and scourges
Whips and scourges were a common form of physical torture in the Middle Ages. Whips could be made of various materials, including leather, and they were often used to inflict pain and punishment on prisoners or those accused of crimes. Scourges were typically made of knotted cords or strips of leather.
The use of whips and scourges as a form of torture was intended to cause physical pain and suffering, and it could result in severe injury or even death. The victim might be lashed repeatedly with the whip, leaving deep cuts and bruises on their flesh. Whips were often used as a means of extracting information or confessions from prisoners, or as a punishment for various crimes.
Branding and mutilation
Branding and mutilation were also both commonly used as forms of physical torture in the Middle Ages.
Branding involved using a hot iron to burn a mark or symbol onto the skin of the victim. The use of branding was intended to cause physical pain and disfigurement, as well as to mark the victim as a criminal or an outcast. Branding was often used as a form of punishment for various crimes, including theft, fraud, and other offences.
Mutilation, on the other hand, involved the deliberate removal or alteration of the victim’s body parts. This might include cutting off fingers, ears, or other appendages, or blinding the victim by removing their eyes. The use of mutilation was intended to cause extreme physical and psychological pain and to permanently disable the victim.
Mutilation was often used as a form of punishment for serious crimes or as a means of suppressing rebellion or dissent.
Methods of psychological torture
While physical torture was more commonly used in the Middle Ages, there were also some forms of psychological torture employed. Below are a few examples. There might be some elements overlapping with the physical aspect, such as in water torture that touches on both the psychological and physical elements.
Water torture
Water torture, also known as water cure or waterboarding, was occasionally used as a form of psychological torture in the Middle Ages, particularly in the context of interrogations or confessions. The basic idea behind water torture is to make the prisoner feel like they are drowning or suffocating, causing physical discomfort and psychological distress.
In the Middle Ages, water torture was sometimes accomplished by pouring water down the prisoner’s throat, often through a funnel or other device. This could cause the prisoner to feel like they were drowning, and could also lead to water entering their lungs or stomach, causing physical pain and discomfort.
Another method of water torture was to lay the prisoner on their back and tilt their head back, so that water could be poured into their nostrils and mouth, again creating a feeling of drowning.
There’s another torture method that’s sometimes called “Chinese water torture,” (although there is little historical evidence that it was actually used in China) and it was occasionally used as a form of psychological torture in different periods of history, including the Middle Ages.
The basic idea of Chinese Water Torture is to cause psychological distress and physical discomfort by repeatedly dripping water onto the forehead of the restrained person. The process is usually slow and deliberate, with each drop of water landing with a slight but noticeable impact. Over time, the continuous dripping can cause an intense and unbearable sensation of tension, fear, and anxiety in the person.
Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation was occasionally used as a form of psychological torture in the Middle Ages, particularly in the context of interrogations or confessions. One method of sleep deprivation was to keep the prisoner awake for prolonged periods of time, either through physical torture or by other means.
For example, in some cases, a prisoner might be tied to a chair or otherwise restrained so that they could not sleep or rest. They might also be subjected to loud noises or bright lights to prevent them from sleeping. In other cases, they might be forced to stand or kneel for long periods of time, making it difficult or impossible to fall asleep. Over time, the effects of sleep deprivation could lead to disorientation, confusion, hallucinations, and other symptoms, which could make the prisoner more vulnerable to interrogation or more likely to confess to a crime.
Confinement
Confinement and isolation were sometimes used as a form of psychological torture in the Middle Ages. Here are some examples of confinement methods used as torture:
Dungeons: Many castles and prisons in the Middle Ages had dungeons, which were dark and cramped cells that prisoners were kept in. These cells could be underground, and the prisoner would be locked up for days, weeks, or even months with little or no light, food, or human contact.
Iron cages: Some prisoners were kept in small iron cages that were hung from walls or ceilings. These cages were often too small to stand or lie down in, making it difficult for the prisoner to get comfortable or rest.
Coffins: Some prisoners were confined in small coffins or cages that were barely big enough for their bodies. These coffins were sometimes suspended in the air or buried underground, increasing the prisoner’s fear and discomfort.
Pillories and stocks: These were wooden devices that prisoners were locked into, often in public places, making them vulnerable to ridicule, humiliation, and abuse.
The effects of confinement and isolation could be severe and long-lasting, causing psychological distress, fear, anxiety, and trauma.
Mock executions
Mock executions were a type of psychological torture that were occasionally used in the Middle Ages. They involved simulating an execution or other violent event, such as the preparation of the rack or guillotine, to create psychological terror in the prisoner.
One example of a mock execution in the Middle Ages was the “water ordeal,” which was a type of trial by ordeal used by the Catholic Church. In this practice, the accused person was thrown into a body of water, often a river, and left to sink or float. If they sank, it was seen as a sign of their innocence, and if they floated, it was taken as a sign of their guilt. While the accused was not actually executed during this ordeal, the fear of drowning and the belief that they might be punished if found guilty was intended to create psychological distress.
Another example of a mock execution was the public display of a person in a pillory or stocks, where the person was restrained and humiliated in front of a crowd. This was not a lethal punishment, but the fear and shame associated with the public display could be traumatising.
Medieval torture devices today
While many of the physical torture devices used in the Middle Ages have been lost or destroyed over time, some examples of these devices have survived to the present day. Many of these devices are now kept in museums or historical collections, where they are displayed as a reminder of the brutality and violence of the past.
Some examples of torture devices from the Middle Ages that have survived to the present day include the rack, the thumbscrew, the iron maiden, and the Judas cradle. There are also examples of instruments of torture from other cultures and periods of history that have survived to the present day, such as the brazen bull.
While these devices are often viewed with horror and revulsion today, they serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting human rights and preventing cruelty and torture in all its forms.
