Post by Brad-LaSpirits on Oct 1, 2007 15:43:14 GMT -5
Various devices used over years of torture and interrogations:
The Rack
The most known form of torture. It is a table, often with spiked rollers for the victim to lay on. The victim would be tied to the rack and stretched for days at a time. In some cases, the victim would be stretched up to 12 inches. Often other types of torture would be inflicted while in this position. Red hot pinchers would tear off nipples, tongues, ears, noses, and genitals.
Branks
The brank was a metal mask that went over the victim. A mouth piece would fit inside the mouth of the victim disabling them from speaking. It was sometimes called Dame's Bridle, or Scold's Bridle. This type of torture was commonly used on scolding housewives, or to silence someone accused of being a witch.
The Breast Ripper
The breast Ripper, often used on women convicted of heresy or adultry, and was used to tear the womans breast. At times the four pronged device would either be frozen or heated to increase pain.
The Wheel
The victim was placed on the execution dock and then restrained so they could not move. They then had pieces of steel placed under all crutial joints in the arms and legs. A heavy wagon wheel was then dropped onto each joint and sometimes even the bone connecting them, shattering the entire structure. Then the broken, bloody limbs were braided, or woven, between the spokes of the wheel. The wheel was then hung into the air for the birds to complete the execution. This was possibly one of the most painful forms of torture practiced in Europe.
The Pear
The pear was inserted into anal, vaginal, or oral orphuses, and then opened to inflict even more pain. The Spikes at the end of the object were used to tear the area to shreads.
The Strappado
This was the process of tieing the prisoner's arms behind their back and hanging them from a high point. The victim was then dropped several feet and stopped before reaching the ground. This would dislocate shoulders and other joints. In some cases, weights were tied to the victims ankles to intensify the pain.
The Boots
During this torture, the victim's legs would be entrapped inside short planks of wood with wedges attatched on the inside. With each question asked by the inquisitor that was not answered, the planks would be struck with a hammer, driving the planks farther into the leg of the victim.
The Ducking Stool
This consisted of a chair with straps on the arms and legs. The chair was suspended in the air by a retractible rotating arm. The victim was strapped to the chair and then the chair was held over body of water. The chair was then completely submerged in the water multiple times. This process was more common with female prisoners.
The Heretick's fork
This was a steel rod with two spikes on both ends of it. One side was jabbed into the sternum, and the other into the bottom of the chin, preventing the victim from speaking.
Pressing
This was a common torture. The victim would be placed flat on the ground, then a board or piece of flat metal would be placed on top of the victim. Next weights or rocks would be placed on top of the board, slowly squeezing the victim.
The Spider
This was another form of ripping. It was used to tear off the testicles or breasts of victims.
Thumb Screws
There were many different types of thumb screws. Some would consist of the crushing of the thumb between two hard surfaces by the tightening of a screw, and some would consist of screws being forced through the skin surrounding the thumb and attaching it to a piece of wood.
The Saw
This was commonly used on witches accused of being pregnant with Satan's child. The victim was hung upside down by her legs. Then a two person saw was used to saw her in two, longways. The victim would usually only live until the saw reached the navel.
The Judas Cradle
Here the victim was hung into the air by various ropes and dropped onto a point. This completely destroying the genital area. This process could be done with weights on the victim's arms or legs, and could be done multiple times.
Hanging
This was used mostly for witches, but was sometimes used for others. Hanging by the neck was most common, in which the neck would most likely be broken. Hanging by other parts of the body, suck as breasts, wrists, or testicles was a more painful and slow form of torture.
Impalement
This was the process of inserting a steak or post through the entire body of the victim, starting at the seat of the body and exiting through the mouth or throat.
The Rack
The most known form of torture. It is a table, often with spiked rollers for the victim to lay on. The victim would be tied to the rack and stretched for days at a time. In some cases, the victim would be stretched up to 12 inches. Often other types of torture would be inflicted while in this position. Red hot pinchers would tear off nipples, tongues, ears, noses, and genitals.
Branks
The brank was a metal mask that went over the victim. A mouth piece would fit inside the mouth of the victim disabling them from speaking. It was sometimes called Dame's Bridle, or Scold's Bridle. This type of torture was commonly used on scolding housewives, or to silence someone accused of being a witch.
The Breast Ripper
The breast Ripper, often used on women convicted of heresy or adultry, and was used to tear the womans breast. At times the four pronged device would either be frozen or heated to increase pain.
The Wheel
The victim was placed on the execution dock and then restrained so they could not move. They then had pieces of steel placed under all crutial joints in the arms and legs. A heavy wagon wheel was then dropped onto each joint and sometimes even the bone connecting them, shattering the entire structure. Then the broken, bloody limbs were braided, or woven, between the spokes of the wheel. The wheel was then hung into the air for the birds to complete the execution. This was possibly one of the most painful forms of torture practiced in Europe.
The Pear
The pear was inserted into anal, vaginal, or oral orphuses, and then opened to inflict even more pain. The Spikes at the end of the object were used to tear the area to shreads.
The Strappado
This was the process of tieing the prisoner's arms behind their back and hanging them from a high point. The victim was then dropped several feet and stopped before reaching the ground. This would dislocate shoulders and other joints. In some cases, weights were tied to the victims ankles to intensify the pain.
The Boots
During this torture, the victim's legs would be entrapped inside short planks of wood with wedges attatched on the inside. With each question asked by the inquisitor that was not answered, the planks would be struck with a hammer, driving the planks farther into the leg of the victim.
The Ducking Stool
This consisted of a chair with straps on the arms and legs. The chair was suspended in the air by a retractible rotating arm. The victim was strapped to the chair and then the chair was held over body of water. The chair was then completely submerged in the water multiple times. This process was more common with female prisoners.
The Heretick's fork
This was a steel rod with two spikes on both ends of it. One side was jabbed into the sternum, and the other into the bottom of the chin, preventing the victim from speaking.
Pressing
This was a common torture. The victim would be placed flat on the ground, then a board or piece of flat metal would be placed on top of the victim. Next weights or rocks would be placed on top of the board, slowly squeezing the victim.
The Spider
This was another form of ripping. It was used to tear off the testicles or breasts of victims.
Thumb Screws
There were many different types of thumb screws. Some would consist of the crushing of the thumb between two hard surfaces by the tightening of a screw, and some would consist of screws being forced through the skin surrounding the thumb and attaching it to a piece of wood.
The Saw
This was commonly used on witches accused of being pregnant with Satan's child. The victim was hung upside down by her legs. Then a two person saw was used to saw her in two, longways. The victim would usually only live until the saw reached the navel.
The Judas Cradle
Here the victim was hung into the air by various ropes and dropped onto a point. This completely destroying the genital area. This process could be done with weights on the victim's arms or legs, and could be done multiple times.
Hanging
This was used mostly for witches, but was sometimes used for others. Hanging by the neck was most common, in which the neck would most likely be broken. Hanging by other parts of the body, suck as breasts, wrists, or testicles was a more painful and slow form of torture.
Impalement
This was the process of inserting a steak or post through the entire body of the victim, starting at the seat of the body and exiting through the mouth or throat.