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The Medieval period is known for its castles, knights, and the power that the Church held over the society. While it is often praised for its deep-rooted religious culture, it also saw its fair share of violence, including the use of medieval torture devices.
These were designed and developed on purpose to give painful slow death that would sometimes take days for the tortured to finally die. Devices like Iron Maiden, Brazen Bull, and Judas Cradle are all infamous for their cringeworthy torture techniques.
However, I have always wondered if these devices were all for real. I am sure that some did exist but some must have been the result of the creative imagination of those who wrote the history books in an attempt to spice things up.
You need to be careful about believing in these devices, as not all might have actually existed. There are several stories about most medieval torture devices and some even find a place in popular literature. But still, the existence of these devices can be questionable.
Types of Medieval Torture Devices
These are the 10 most barbaric and brutal medieval torture devices. So strap yourself in because these medieval torture device images could be painful!
10. The Wooden Horse
This Wooden Horse is not the same as the one mentioned in the Odyssey. This Wooden Horse worked as a harsh corrective measure. It was also referred to as the Spanish Donkey.
This method involved placing the criminal on a wooden structure, with ankle weights attached to each side to increase the suffering.
The person’s hands were tied behind their back, forcing them to remain in this position for long periods, sometimes going on for several hours or even days.
Starting during the Holy Inquisition in France, this torture method later spread to Spain and Germany before crossing the Atlantic to the Americas, gaining prominence during the colonial era.
9. The Brazen Bull
Starting in Athens, ancient Greece, the Brazen Bull was presented to Phalaris, the dictator of Akragas in Sicily. This medieval torture device was made of bronze and it looked like a hollow bull with a small entrance.
Once a person was made to go inside, a fire was lit below the bull, subjecting them to a slow and painful death by roasting. If that was not enough, the bull had pipes that were specially designed to convert the victim’s screams into a bull-like sound.
The way the Brazen Bull worked and the way victims were tortured came as a surprise to me when I first came to know about it. The sheer brutality of this torture technique sent shivers down my spine.
However, many say that this device was only a legend and a popular addition to many traditional stories. It may not have existed in reality.
8. Breast Ripper
Breast Ripper, or Iron Spider, was a form of torture mainly used on medieval women accused of different acts that men in those times thought were crimes.
The breast ripper was made from heated iron and was often used to cruelly tear women’s breasts, inflicting unimaginable pain. It was mainly used in the Middle Ages but there is evidence of its use in Ancient Rome as well.
The breast ripper consisted of four claws and it is believed that it may have originated around the 1590s in Germany and France. It is believed to have been used until the 19th century.
7. Thumbscrews
Thumbscrews, also known as Thumbkin or Thumbikin, were one of the most popular medieval torture devices. They have their roots in early modern Europe, with Generals Dalyell and Drummond believed to be their inventors.
This method involved placing thumbs, and sometimes fingers or toes, within screw clamps that were slowly tightened, causing severe pain. The thumbscrew could be modified with barbs to pierce the nails, increasing the already painful torture.
It was a simple device but could be used in different ways to increase the intensity of torture, making it a popular choice. It was frequently used for extracting information or punishing criminals during eras dominated by harsh interrogation practices.
6. The Wheel
The Wheel, also referred to as the Catherine Wheel, has its origins in ancient Greece. It was used as a torture device and means of public execution. It comprised a big wooden wagon wheel, sometimes having iron spikes on its outer part.
In this process, the victim’s hands were placed below the wood on the ground. The executioner then used the wooden wheel to break the victim’s arms, legs and back. The broken individual was put onto the wheel and on the top of a straight log of wood fixed on the ground, where they struggled with painful breathlessness.
The victims were then left alone on the wheel, taking days to die slowly. There are records in the history books of a victim who was left on the wheel and remained alive for nine days before finally passing away.
Such was the attraction of this torture device that crowds would often gather to witness such public executions, using it as a form of entertainment.
5. The Pear of Anguish
The Pear of Anguish is also known as Choke pear or Mouth pear. It was created by Palioly and used from medieval times into the 17th century.
This old torture device had a pear-shaped metal body divided like a spoon. It could be expanded using a spring or a key that could be turned. It was mostly used on women who were accused of witchcraft and abortion.
Even people suspected of homosexuality were subjected to torture using this device. The Pear of Anguish was inserted into the mouth, rectum, or vagina and then expanded to cause mutilation. Such horrific techniques to torture people make me shiver with fear and pain.
Simply thinking about the kind of agony those victims were made to go through is a horrible feeling.
4. The Stake
Even though instances of using a stake to burn people existed even before humans started recording history, the recorded documents can be found in 1242 under Louis IX.
The stake was mostly used on people charged with crimes related to religion or not following the orders of the ruling class.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, witch-hunting became quite a common thing in Europe, leading to the burning of women accused of witchcraft using the stake. Around 200,000 people were burnt on this device during this era.
The stake was used in different ways to burn people alive. They were either hung from above while a fire lit below them, or they were tied to a ladder while it swung onto the flames.
3. The Scavenger’s Daughter
The Scavenger’s Daughter, or Skevington’s Gyves, became popular during the reign of King Henry VIII of England. This medieval torture device was made of a metal rack shaped into an A-frame structure.
The victim’s head was tied at the top point, hands at the midpoint, and legs at the lower end. The frame could be folded, forcing the head to go down and the knees to rise. The body was compressed, bringing it into a sitting position.
More pressure was applied, forcing the blood to come from different parts of the body. This was used to extract vital information while different body parts were targeted to inflict pain.
2. The Pillory
The Pillory consisted of a wooden post and frame attached to a raised platform. The offender’s head and hands were placed through holes in the frame while their feet were tied in stocks.
The frame consisted of a perforated iron circle capable of securing the hands and heads of multiple individuals at the same time. Although its design allowed for holding only one person at a time.
This medieval torture device was placed in a public place so that victims could feel humiliated. Sometimes, the crowd would throw objects, like vegetables, rotten animals, dead animals, stones, or blunt objects at the victim.
This torture was also accompanied by other punishments, such as flogging (a punishment where the victim was beaten with a whip or rod).
According to Britannica, It was used in Britain till 1837. Delaware was the last U.S. state to discontinue its use in 1905.
1. Iron Maiden
Ancient reports suggest that the Spartan tyrant Nabis used this device around 200 B.C. for extortion and murder. Even though the iron maiden is often described as a mythical torture device, it is believed to have a solid iron cabinet with lots of spikes on the inside.
It was used to inflict a slow and torturous death. Several methods were used to ensure that the person didn’t die immediately and took days to meet his end.
The first record of this device came about in the 19th century. Still, the iron maidens are believed to be myths as there is no real evidence of their usage.
Whether such devices existed or not, talking about them makes me think how tough it would have been living in those times when your crime could land such a painful death.
What were the medieval torture devices used for?
I am sure people had their own reasons for using these torture devices. My readings have shown that these medieval torture devices were used for many purposes. One important use was to make people confess, especially women accused of witchcraft.
Beyond this, these devices were employed to punish criminals, take revenge and scare others so that they followed the rules and didn’t go against the powerful. Interrogation of spies and suspects also utilized these devices. Religious non-believers faced torturous methods to ensure they followed the rules and religious practices.
Moreover, medieval torture devices were used for public displays of execution, creating a climate of terror to highlight the results of going against the rules. This deliberate use of fear made sure that people were scared of those in power, maintaining social order through pressure and force.
Medieval Torture Devices were one of the darkest sides of middle age, with the direct goal to inflict maximum pain on the people who had committed the crime. There are special medieval torture museums where you can find the models, images, and parts of these torture devices. You must visit them if you want to learn more about them.
What if we had these kinds of torturous methods for crimes now also? Would you dare to commit a crime? Share your views in the comment section.
One can argue that writing about such things for your history class is just another type of torture. If you are unsure whether this or a similar topic is worth your time and attention, simply delegate it to a professional essay service and let academic experts do research and writing. You need experienced online writers on your side as a Plan B for unpredicted errands and social engagements. Just remember — there are people ready to take essay writing torture off your shoulders.
If you liked reading about Medieval Torture Devices, you should definitely read about Medieval Siege Weapons!
