Medieval Torture Nydeen 2010 Medieval Torture Introduction This

Medieval Torture Nydeen 2010

Medieval Torture • Introduction: – This is NOT an endorsement towards the cruelty which people have inflicted upon other people. – Rather: it is a poignant reminder of the cruelty we are capable of inflicting on others.

Medieval Torture • Definition of torture: – The infliction of severe pain as a means of punishment or coercion. – Pain or mental anguish.

Medieval Torture • Excuses for torture (A means to an end). – To force confessions or secret information from those accused of heresy or witchcraft, whether guilty or innocent. – To discourage dissent and intellectual freedom. – Deterrent to criminals and invaders. – To persuade Jews, Muslims, and other non. Christians to convert. – Victims were viewed as sub-human.

Who Dealt Out Torture • Christian Church • Inquisitors • Most Notorious would be the Spanish Inquisition • Religious Persecutors • Governments • Master Torturers • Most Famous place of Torture – The ‘Bloody’ Tower of London. • Person Recognized for his Cruelty – Vlad the Impaler.

Two Major Types of Torture • Psychological Torture: Torture by non-physical means that is meant to break the will of a person mentally. • Physical Torture: Torture that uses devices to inflict physical pain on the victim to break the his/her will.

Methods of Torture • The most common means of torture included burning, beating and suffocating, as well as beheading.

Methods and Tools of Torture • Vlad the “Impaler” – Prefered to impale his enemies. – His exploits were so notorious that the legend of “Dracula” are based on him. – He impaled hundreds of Turks on greased stakes as warnings to encroaching Muslims to stay out of his territory.

Methods of Torture • The Toe Wedge

Methods of Torture • The Tongue Slicer

Methods of Torture • The Copper Boot

Methods of Torture • Water Torture

Methods of Torture • “Nut-Cracker”

Methods of Torture • Crocodile Shears

Women and Torture • Women were often the subject of torture for a variety of reasons. Witchcraft Adultery Heresy Religious Convictions – Out of wedlock pregnancy – –

Methods of Torture • Iron Spider or the “Breast Ripper”

Medieval Torture Nydeen 2010

Methods of Torture • The “Pear”

Methods of Torture • “Scottish Boot”

Methods of Torture • Tabillas

Methods of Torture • Instep Borer

Methods of Torture • Venetian Foot Breaker • AKA ‘Head Crusher’

Methods of Torture • The “Wheel”

Methods of Torture • The “Wheel” Continued • Some other uses.

The Tower of London

Methods of Torture • The “Rack”

Methods of Torture • The “Judas Cradle”

Methods of Torture • The Coffin

Methods of Torture • The ‘Chair’

Methods of Torture • The Brazen Bull

Methods of Torture • Flaying and Skinning alive Flaying Bench

Methods of Torture • Lead Sprinkler

Methods of Torture • The “Cats Paw” or the Spanish Rake

Other “Common” Methods • Drawn and Quartered -The person is carved into pieces while alive. It was often combined with hanging and used for extremely serious crimes such as high treason, where mere hanging alone was not enough. • Burned at the Stake -Popular during the Inquisition for heretics, witches, and uppity women. • Disembowelment -The torso is slit open and the entrails are removed.

Medieval Torture • What were some reasons given for torture? • What are two types of torture? • In your view, would torture be more a deterrent or punishment? Why? • Who used torture and what were their reasons? • Who generally were the victims of torture? Why?