Strap yourselves in, because this ride gets painful, fast!
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To be sure, theres nothing awesome about torture.
But theres a certain grotesque ingenuity inherent to many of the most horrifying medieval torture methods.
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For those of the macabre mindset, here are 26 fascinating medieval torture devices.
Pear of Anguish
So, what is the pear of anguish?
The kindest use was in a persons mouth where it would ultimately shatter the skull, causing death.
It was an enclosed structure lined with spikes that would entirely surround a person.
you’re free to guess how it might go once the legs started to tire out.
Weights are then added to their feet until it splits them up the middle.
It is then yanked away, pulling flesh and muscle with it in great chunks.
Obviously, medieval torture methods didnt have to be overly elaborate to be effective!
The person wouldnt even bleed very much, since the chair would plug the wounds until victims were removed.
And, it was tightened just enough to be uncomfortable.
The Tub
Simple biology was the greatest enemy the tubs victims.
Prisoners tortured in this way were force-fed food and water to keep them alive.
Pillory
Theres several variations on the medieval pillory, of which the stocks is one.
A person is put into a wooden frame that binds their head and hands.
Along with the coffin, the pillory revealed humanity itself as one of the worst torture devices.
Victims were placed inside, while a fire was lit beneath the belly.
Strappado
A simple cord, the strappado would be tied around the victims wrists behind their back.
They would then be dropped, yanking severely on the sockets of the shoulders.
The forward leaning of the body and dislocated shoulders restrict breathing, for added discomfort.
Usually this torture ended whenever the torturer felt like pouring molten silver into the victims eyes, killing them.
Definitely more creative than death by sawing, but much less savory.
They would be bound in this hideous contraption, which prevented the woman from feeding herself.
It also left her defenseless against whatever cruelty passersby might feel like dishing out.
Pilliwinks
Thumb screws torture is the common name for Pilliwinks, which have a deceptively cute title.
Lower your head and it will kill you… if youre lucky.
The heretics fork was a macabre way of keeping sinners looking up at God.
Sometimes they would be bound in a bag, which would add disorientation to the waterboarding jot down exercise.
Here they would be tied in awkward poses, then have their limbs smashed with iron cudgels.
Medieval Torture Devices: Conclusion
Well, that was fun, wasnt it?
If youre still reading, you probably have a strong stomachor just a taste for the macabre.
In any case, we hope youve taken something away from our list of medieval torture devices.
Humanity can be pretty ugly, and were not exactly above making life hell for others even today.
Which of these medieval torture methods do you find the most unsettling?
